Infinitive with to in English
To-infinitive is used in the following cases:
Verb + to-infinitive
after | verbs e.g. agree, arrange, beg, choose, claim, continue, decide, demand,expect, hope, intend, learn, plan, prefer, pretend, promise, resolve, swear, threaten, wish | I decided to buy a new car. |
He agreed to help her. | ||
We arranged to visit the house on Monday. |
after | question words | I don't know what to choose. |
I didn't know how to get in touch with them. |
after | verb + object + question-word e.g. advise, instruct, remind, teach, tell |
He told us to run. |
My sister taught me to swim. | ||
She told me where to wait. | ||
He warned me to stay away. |
Adjective + to-infinitive
after | adjectives | He was kind to help us. |
It was kind of her to help us. | ||
How kind of him to help us! | ||
He is eager to please. | ||
He is easy to please. | ||
She is amusing to be with. | ||
Polyester is easy to iron. | ||
It is good to be here. |
after | the first, the second, etc. | She is always the first to arrive and the last to leave. |
Who was the first person to arrive at the party? |
after | 'too' + adjective adjective + 'enough' |
He is too weak to lift it. |
I'm too tired to stay up longer. | ||
He's strong enough to lift it. | ||
It is ripe enough (for me) to eat. |
Noun + to-infinitive
after | nouns related to verbs | The decision to wait was wise. |
It's their wish to succeed. | ||
His refusal to help surprised them. |
after | nouns related to adjectives | He's determined / eager / willing to help. |
I want to thank you all for your determination to help. | ||
It's fun to be here. |
after | nouns, 'something', 'a lot', etc. | There was nothing to do so we watched TV. |
I want something to answer the phone. |