VERBS NORMALLY FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE
VERBS NORMALLY FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE
B. These are the most common of the verbs that are normally followed by a noun + infinitive. The verbs marked * may also be followed by a ‘that-clause‘.
Example
| VERB | NOUN | INFINITIVE |
| He reminded | me | to buy some eggs. |
| THAT-CLAUSE | ||
| He reminded | me | that I had to buy some eggs. |
| accustom aid appoint assist cause challenge command* defy direct* drive empower enable encourage entice |
entitle entreat force get implore* incite induce inspire instruct* invite lead leave (make someone responsible) oblige |
order* persuade* press prompt provoke remind* require* stimulate summon teach tell tempt trust* warn* |
Notes:
* command, direct, entreat, implore, order, require, trust:
there is no noun between these verbs and a ‘that-clause’:
- The general commanded his men to surrender.
- The general commanded that his men should surrender.
persuade and remind:
there is always a noun between these verbs and a ‘that-clause’:
- You can’t persuade people to buy small cars.
- You can’t persuade people that small cars are better.
instruct, teach, warn:
the noun is optional between these verbs and a ‘that-clause’:
- She taught her students to appreciate poetry.
- She taught her students that poetry was valuable.
- She taught that poetry was valuable.
Examples
- The professor challenged his students to argue with his theory.
- This law empowers the government to charge more taxes.
- You can’t force me to do something I don’t agree with.
- You are obliged to drive on the left in England.
- I invited the new student to have dinner with me.
- What inspired you to write this poem?
- The elephant told the mouse to climb up his tail.
theory
mouse What challenged eggs
THATCLAUSE
He that NORMALLY between order students agree small someone persuade with This poetry
poetry valuable
Examples
most infinitive teach always some cars normally followed thatclause
INFINITIVE
He invited implore persuade elephant cant verbs write charge warn
the obliged noun thatclause
these dinner commanded student that thatclause
Example
VERB students this should NOUN reminded remind
there followed require These between trust
there verbs verbs surrender
persuade with
thatclause
