Certain verbs can be followed by to + infinitive verb:
*Note: an infinitive verb is also called a base verb.
- afford
- agree
- appear
- arrange
- ask
- attempt
- beg
- choose
- decide
- demand
- deserve
- expect
- fail
- fight
- help
- intend
- manage
- need
- offer
- plan
- prefer
- prepare
- pretend
- promise
- refuse
- seem
- tend
- want / would like
- When we went to America, we couldn't afford to have health insurance.
- The doctor will never agree to do that.
- What do you plan to do about the disease?
- I told her the diagnosis, but she didn't seem to care.
The above verbs can be used with not + to + infinitive verb as well.
- We decided not to do that procedure because of the risks.
- I think the patient is pretending not to understand.
- The pharmacist promised not to leave early anymore.
With the above verbs, it is important to realize both verbs belong to the subject.
- She intends to do better in pharmacy school.
- Subject = she Verbs = intend, do
- The doctors managed to find the problem.
- Subject = the doctors Verbs = manage, find
- Sydney doesn't deserve to know.
- Subject = Sydney Verbs = deserve, know
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