English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 54: Verb + to ... (decide to ... / forget to ... etc.)

  • offer
  • agree
  • refuse
  • decide
  • plan
  • arrange
  • manage
  • fail
  • deserve
  • afford
  • forget
  • promise
  • threaten
  • learn

After these verbs you can use to ... (infinitive):
  • It was late, so we decided to take a taxi home.
  • Simon was in a difficult situation, so I agreed to help him.
  • How old were you when you learnt to drive? (or learnt how to drive)
  • I waved to Karen, but failed to attract her attention.

The negative is not to ... :
  • We decided not to go out because of the weather.
  • I promised not to be late.

After some verbs to ... is not possible. For example, enjoy/think/suggest:
  • I enjoy reading. (not enjoy to read)
  • Andy suggested meeting for coffee. (not suggested to meet)
  • Are you thinking of buying a car? (not thinking to buy)

For verb + -ing, see Unit 53. For verb + preposition+ -ing, see Unit 62.

After dare you can use the infinitive with or without to:
  • I wouldn't dare to tell him. or I wouldn't dare tell him.

But after dare not (or daren't), you must use the infinitive without to:
  • I daren't tell him what happened. (not I daren't to tell him)

We also use to ... after:

  • seem
  • appear
  • tend
  • pretend
  • claim

For example:
  • They seem to have plenty of money.
  • I like Dan, but I think he tends to talk too much.
  • Ann pretended not to see me when she passed me in the street.

There is also a continuous infinitive (to be doing) and a perfect infinitive (to have done):
  • I pretended to be reading the paper. (= I pretended that I was reading)
  • You seem to have lost weight. (= it seems that you have lost weight)
  • Joe seems to be enjoying his new job. (= it seems that he is enjoying it)

After some verbs you can use a question word (what/whether/how etc.) + to .... We use this structure especially after:

  • ask
  • decide
  • know
  • remember
  • forget
  • explain
  • learn
  • understand
  • wonder

We askedhowto getto the station.
Have you decidedwhereto gofor your holidays?
I don't knowwhetherto applyfor the job or not.
Do you understandwhatto do?

Also
show/tell/ask/advise/teach somebody what/how/where to do something:
  • Can somebody show me how to use this camera?
  • Ask jack. He'll tell you what to do.

54.1 Complete the sentences for these situations.


  1. They decided .

  2. She agreed __________ .

  3. He offered __________ .

  4. They arranged __________ .

  5. She refused __________ .

  6. She promised __________ .

54.2 Complete each sentence with a suitable verb.

  1. Don't forget the door when you go out.
  2. There was a lot of traffic, but we managed __________ to the airport in time.
  3. We couldn't afford __________ in London. It's too expensive.
  4. We've got new computer software in our office. I haven't learnt __________ it yet.
  5. Mark doesn't know what happened. I decided not __________ him.
  6. We were all afraid to speak. Nobody dared __________ anything.

54.3 Put the verb into the correct form, to ... or -ing. (See Unit 53 for verbs + -ing.)

  1. When I'm tired, I enjoy television. It's relaxing. (watch)
  2. I've decided __________ for another job. I need a change. (look)
  3. Let's get a taxi. I don't fancy __________ home. (walk)
  4. I'm not in a hurry. I don't mind __________ . (wait)
  5. Tin a ran in a marathon last week, but she failed. __________ . (finish)
  6. I wish that dog would stop __________ . It's driving me crazy. (bark)
  7. Our neighbour threatened __________ the police if we didn't stop the noise. (call)
  8. We were hungry, so I suggested __________ dinner early. (have)
  9. Hurry up! I don't want to risk __________ the train. (miss)
  10. They didn't know I was listening to them. I pretended __________ asleep. (be)

54.4 Make a new sentence using the verb in brackets.

  1. You've lost weight. (seem)
    .
  2. Tom is worried about something. (appear)
    Tom appears __________ .
  3. You know a lot of people. (seem)
    You __________ .
  4. My English is getting better.
    (seem) __________ .
  5. That car has broken down.
    (appear) __________ .
  6. David forgets things. (tend)
    __________ .
  7. They have solved the problem. (claim)
    __________ .

54.5 Complete each sentence using what/how/where/whether + these verbs:

  • do
  • get
  • go
  • put
  • ride
  • use
  1. Do you know to John's house?
  2. Would you know __________ if there was a fire in the building?
  3. You'll never forget __________ a bicycle once you've learnt.
  4. I've been invited to the party, but I haven't decided __________ or not.
  5. My room is very untidy. I've got so many things and I don't know __________ them.
  6. I have some clothes to wash. Can you show me __________ the washing machine?

Answer Key
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PART A: 14 Elementary tests, 14 Pre-Intermediate tests, 8 Intermediate tests. Each test is specified on different grammar topics. PART B: 14 tests including Elementary, Pre-intermediate, Intermediate and Upper intermediate level grammar tests. Every test is focused on a different grammar topic. (2452 questions) PART C: 16 Multi-level grammar tests. Each test is specified on a different grammar topic. (1418 questions) PART D: 20 perfect multi-level grammar tests for assessment. (2000 questions) PART E: 6 Elementary, 5 Intermediate, 3 Advanced grammar tests. The formats of the tests are similar and the level gradually increases. (1400 questions)

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