Basics. Verbs Followed by the To-Infinitive: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓The basic rule: One verb follows another
In English, when you use two verbs together in a sentence, the first verb dictates the grammatical form of the second verb. While some verbs are followed by an -ing word (a gerund), a very large and important group of verbs must be followed by to + the infinitive (the base form of the verb).
Think of the first verb as the "boss." If the boss is a verb about planning, wanting, or promising, it almost always demands a to-infinitive right after it.
✅ I decided to bake a chocolate cake. ❌ I decided baking a chocolate cake.
Common verbs that demand a to-infinitive
There is no single rule to guess every verb that takes an infinitive, but they often fall into a few logical categories. When you use these verbs, the action that follows is usually something that hasn't happened yet, or is focused on a future goal or choice:
- Plans and Intentions: plan, decide, aim, hope, attempt, want, try
- Promises and Agreements: promise, agree, refuse, offer
- Necessities and Learning: need, learn, fail
✅ We need to buy some snacks before the road trip. ❌ We need buy some snacks before the road trip.
✅ He always refuses to clean the bathroom. ❌ He always refuses cleaning the bathroom.
The tricky exception: Verbs that change meaning
A few special verbs can be followed by either a to-infinitive or an -ing verb, but the meaning of the sentence completely changes! The most common examples are forget, remember, and stop.
Let's look at forget, which often trips up learners:
- Forget + to-infinitive: You didn't do something because you forgot. (The forgetting happened before the action).
- Forget + -ing: You did something, but you lost the memory of doing it. (The action happened before the forgetting).
✅ I completely forgot to turn off the security cameras. (I didn't turn them off, and now the villain has a video of me!) ✅ I will never forget winning that championship. (I won it, and the memory will stay with me forever.)
A common error to watch out for
The most frequent mistake B1 and B2 learners make is dropping the word "to" completely, leaving two base verbs sitting awkwardly next to each other. In English, you generally cannot stack two base verbs together without a link.
✅ I promise to bring the secret gadgets this time. ❌ I promise bring the secret gadgets this time.
Another common trap is over-applying the -ing form because it feels natural or translates directly from your native language. Always double-check verbs of intention (like plan or decide). If you are talking about a goal, a promise, or a choice, you almost certainly need to plus the base verb.
Correct answers
Question 1
Complete the clumsy secret agent's highly confidential mission report.
I completely forgot _____ off the security cameras, so the villain now has a hilarious video of me dancing in the hallway.
The correct answer is to turn.
We use "forget" + to-infinitive (to + verb) when we fail to remember to perform a necessary action.
Question 2
Help the amateur chef complete his kitchen disaster diary by dragging the correct forms into the blanks.
Dear Diary, Today, I decided to bake a massive chocolate cake for my roommate's birthday. I promised to follow the recipe exactly this time, instead of just guessing the measurements. I carefully mixed all the ingredients and put the pan in the kitchen. Unfortunately, I forgot to turn on the oven, so now we are eating a bowl of chocolate soup.
Today, I decided to bake a massive chocolate cake for my roommate's birthday.
The verb "decide" is always followed by the "to" infinitive when another verb comes right after it.
I promised to follow the recipe exactly this time, instead of just guessing the measurements.
We use the "to" infinitive after the verb "promise" to talk about commitments.
Unfortunately, I forgot to turn on the oven, so now we are eating a bowl of chocolate soup.
The verb "forget" followed by a "to" infinitive means failing to do an action you were supposed to do.
Question 3
Complete the dramatic text message from a remorseful roommate.
I am so sorry about last night! I promise _____ you a brand new, extra-large pepperoni pizza tomorrow!
The correct answer is to buy.
After the verb "promise," we use the to-infinitive (to + verb) to express a commitment to do something.
Question 4
"I initially wanted to bake a beautiful chocolate cake for you all, but the oven is on fire." "As you can see, I am currently learning to use this heavy fire extinguisher." "Next week, I would like to invite a professional firefighter to the show just in case."
The verbs want, learn, and the phrase would like all take the to-infinitive form of the following verb.
Question 5
Help the brave college students finalize their secret plan for their grumpy professor. Drag the correct words to complete their group chat message.
Listen up, team! We are planning to throw a surprise birthday party for Professor Smith next Friday. We hope to see him smile for the very first time this semester. Please try to keep it a secret from him, or he might give us extra homework as revenge!
We are planning to throw a surprise birthday party for Professor Smith next Friday.
The verb "plan" is followed by the "to" infinitive when expressing intentions for the future.
We hope to see him smile for the very first time this semester.
We use "hope" + "to" infinitive to talk about desires and wishes for the future.
Please try to keep it a secret from him, or he might give us extra homework as revenge!
When "try" means to make an effort to do something difficult, it is followed by the "to" infinitive.
Question 6
The correct answers are to buy, to get, and to pack.
The verb need is followed by the "to-infinitive" when expressing an action that someone must do. Using the bare infinitive (get) or the gerund (buying) is grammatically incorrect in this context.
Question 7
"I woke up late, so I decided to skip breakfast today!" "I desperately need to print my history essay before the lecture starts." "Wish me luck. I hope to pass the exam anyway!"
The verbs decide, need, and hope are all followed by the to-infinitive. At the A2 level, learning which common verbs require "to + verb" is an important step in building natural-sounding sentences!
Question 8
Help the overly optimistic student complete their weekend study schedule.
This weekend, I plan _____ all three seasons of that new sci-fi show... and maybe read one chapter of my biology textbook if I have time.
The correct answer is to watch.
The verb "plan" is followed by the to-infinitive (to + verb) when we are talking about our future intentions or arrangements.
Question 9
"I promise to bring the secret gadgets this time, instead of my grocery list." "I must not forget to charge my laser watch before leaving the headquarters." "Finally, we plan to escape through the bakery's back door if the villains find us."
Certain verbs, such as promise, forget (when talking about a task you must do), and plan, are followed by the to-infinitive (to + base verb). Using the gerund (-ing) or the bare infinitive without "to" is incorrect here.
Question 10
The correct answers are attempted, tried, and planned.
Certain verbs like attempt, try, and plan are followed by the "to-infinitive" (to steal). Verbs like avoid and finish must be followed by a gerund (stealing).
Question 11
Complete the frustrated student's text message to their mom about a lazy roommate. Drag the correct verb forms to fill the gaps.
Mom, I can't stand living with Dave anymore! He always refuses to clean the bathroom, even when it's his turn. Yesterday, he finally agreed to wash the mountain of dirty dishes in the sink. However, when it was time to do them, he just pretended to be asleep on the couch!
He always refuses to clean the bathroom, even when it's his turn.
The verb "refuse" requires the "to" infinitive to express an unwillingness to do something.
Yesterday, he finally agreed to wash the mountain of dirty dishes in the sink.
When you say yes to doing an action, you use "agree" + "to" infinitive.
However, when it was time to do them, he just pretended to be asleep on the couch!
The verb "pretend" takes the "to" infinitive to describe acting like something is true when it is not.
Question 12
The correct sentences are You promised to wash the dishes yesterday!, You always forget to take out the trash., and You refused to vacuum the rug.
The verbs promise, forget, agree, offer, and refuse all require a "to-infinitive" after them. Therefore, "agreed paying" and "offered cleaning" are incorrect; they should be "agreed to pay" and "offered to clean".