What you'll learn
By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to use to + base verb after common verbs and to express purpose.
When do I use it?
The infinitive is to + base verb (to go, to eat). Use it after certain verbs: want, decide, need, hope, plan, promise, learn, agree, offer, refuse, seem: "I want to travel." "She decided to stay home."
You also use the infinitive to say why you do something (purpose): "I called to ask a question." "He studies hard to pass the exam."
Some verbs are followed by an object and then the infinitive: "She asked me to help her." "They told us to wait."
How do I form it?
verb + to + base verb verb + object + to + base verb
- I need to buy some milk.
- We hope to see you soon.
- She asked me to open the window.
- He went to the gym to get fit. (purpose)
After these verbs you cannot use the -ing form: "I want going" is wrong, it must be "I want to go".
Common mistakes for Spanish speakers
Spanish speakers often build "quiero que + subjunctive" as "want that": "Quiero que vengas" is "I want you to come", not "I want that you come". Also, some verbs that take "to" in Spanish take the -ing in English (see the verb + -ing lesson), and some that take -ing in Spanish take "to" here: "decidí ir" is "I decided to go". And do not drop the "to": "I want go home" is wrong — always "I want to go home".
After want, decide, need, hope, plan, agree → to + verb. To say why you do something → to + verb.
Practice
Multiple Choice
A2Which sentence is correct?
Fill in the Blank
A2We decided stay at home this weekend.
Hint: 'Decide' takes the infinitive: 'decided to stay'.
Find the Error
A2Sentence Transformation
A2Task: Rewrite the purpose with an infinitive
Hint: Use 'to + verb' to express the purpose.
Practice Speaking
Apply what you've learned in a real conversation with AI feedback.
Level: A2