VERB PATTERN 2

(not) to-
Subject verb
infinitive
Examples
Subject (not) to-infinitive
1. Please try To do better next time.
2. Do they want To go?
3. Do we Have To change trains here?
4. It has begun To rain.
5. It came on To rain.
6. He decided Not to go.
7. He pretended Not to see me.
8. Would you like To come with me?
9. Did you remember To post the letter?
10. Please don’t forget To look up the word.
 The Commonest verbs used in this pattern are:
attempt guarantee prefer
Begin have Pretend
cease Hope Promise
come on Intend Propose
commence Learn Refuse
continue Like Regret
dare Love Remember
decide Mean (intend) Start
desire Need Swear
endeavor Offer Try
expect Ought Want
fear plan wish
forget
A Group of verbs that takes a plain infinitive
object.
These are the auxiliary Verbs: do, does, did
Example: He did come yesterday
Can, may, must, shall, will, could, might, should, would, need, and
dare.
The phrases had better and would rather also belong to this group.
Example: You’ d better start at once. I’d rather not go.
Exercise 1
To contrast the use of to-infinitive and bare infinitive, Substitute the
following words and make necessary changes. For example:

He Learned to speak English

tried He tried to speak English
should He should speak English
I I should speak English
read the lesson I should read the lesson
have I have to read the lesson
Should try I Should try to read the lesson
must I must read the lesson
Continue
1. They 11. Had better 21. Plan
Exercise 1 2. Need 12. I 22. Might
3. like 13. Hope 23. Want
4. Try 14. Expect 24. Can
5. Would 15. Write the words 25. We
6. We 16. Intend 26. Should
7. All of us 17. Promise 27. Should start
8. Learn structures 18. Decide 28. She
9. You 19. Write the letter 29. Speak clearly
10. ought 20. will 30. Is learning
Exercise 2
Make Questions with the following words and the infinitive READ.
Use He as the subject and give short answers, For example:

Can Can he read? Yes, he can

have Does he have to read Yes, he does
Is trying Is he trying to read? Yes, he is
Would rather Would he rather read? Yes, he would

Should learn Should he learn to read? Yes, he should

Continue
Exercise 2 1. Plan 11. Like 21. Can learn
2. Expect 12. Prefer 22. Might want
3. Will 13. Refuse 23. Would rather
4. Mean 14. Might 24. Need
5. Can learn 15. Will promise 25. Begin to learn
6. Intent 16. Would like
7. Need 17. have
8. Should 18. Is trying
9. Try 19. Will try
10. Has decided 20. Should promise
Exercise 3
To practice this pattern with the infinitive implied, Substitute the
following words. Use TO when necessary. For example:

He didn’t go but he plans to.

wanted He didn’t go but he wanted to.
Can He didn’t go but he can.
Is planning He didn’t go but he Is planning to.
Might He didn’t go but he might.
Would like He didn’t go but he would like to.
Continue
Exercise 3 1. Plans 11. hoped 21. wanted
2. intended 12. Would like 22. Was planning
3. might 13. Will try 23. Would like
4. Had promises 14. Will 24. will
5. should 15. Has intended 25. Had expected
6. expected 16. Is hoping
7. Would love 17. might
8. Could 18. Will have
9. hopes 19. Had decided
10. Ought 20. should
Exercise 4
Answer the following questions with NO, BUT, and the words in
brackets, For example:
Does he have to go? (plans) No, but he plans to
Does he want to go? (should) No, but he should
Does they study every day? No, but they have to

1. Do you study everyday? (should)__________________________

2. Did you go to America? (want)____________________________
3. Did you get the letter? (am Expecting) _____________________
4. Do you like to get up early? (must) _________________________
Exercise 4
5. Do you want to study tonight? (will try)________________________
6. Did you meet the chairman? (would like)______________________
7. Do you have to take a four-year course? (have planned) ______
8. Are you going to movie tonight? (have promises) ______________
9. Will he pay for the ticket? (should) ____________________________
10. Does marry play tennis? (is learning) _________________________
11. Did you see the new play? (would like) ________________________
12. Did John talk to his teacher? (could)__________________________
13. Does she understand French (is learning)? _____________________
14. Do the students speak English? (should try) ____________________
15. Do you need to see her? (might) ______________________________