Verb + to + Verb (infinitives) Practice Tests with A2 Grammar Rules & Examples

Verb + to + Verb (Infinitives)

In English, we often use two verbs together in one sentence. When we do this, the second verb is sometimes in the infinitive form. The infinitive form means we use to + verb.

Look at these simple examples:

• I want to eat a pizza.
• She needs to sleep.
• We love to play football.

In each sentence, there are two verbs. The first verb (want, need, love) tells us about the action or feeling. The second verb comes after to and tells us more about what the person wants, needs, or loves to do.

This lesson teaches you which verbs are followed by to + verb (the infinitive), how to build these sentences, and how to avoid common mistakes.

What Is an Infinitive?

An infinitive is a grammar word. Do not worry — it is simple! The infinitive is just the basic form of a verb with the word to in front of it.

Here are some examples of infinitives:

• to eat
• to sleep
• to go
• to play
• to study
• to work

So when we say verb + to + verb, it means: first verb + to + basic verb.

Example: I want + to eat. → I want to eat.

Rule Breakdown: Verb + to + Verb

The Basic Pattern

The pattern is very simple:

[Subject] + [Verb 1] + to + [Verb 2]

Let's look at a mini-story to understand this.

This is Tom. Tom is 20 years old. Every day, Tom wakes up and thinks about his day. He wants to go to the gym. He needs to buy some food. He hopes to see his friends later. He loves to cook dinner in the evening.

In each sentence, Tom uses verb + to + verb:

• He wants to go to the gym.
• He needs to buy some food.
• He hopes to see his friends.
• He loves to cook dinner.

The first verb changes depending on the subject (I, you, he, she, etc.). The second verb always stays in its basic form — it does not change.

The Subject Changes the First Verb

Remember: only the first verb changes. With he, she, it, we add -s to the first verb. The second verb (after to) never changes.

• I want to go.
• You want to go.
• He wants to go.
• She wants to go.
• We want to go.
• They want to go.

Notice: to go never changes. Only want → wants for he/she/it.

Common Verbs Followed by to + Verb

Some verbs are always followed by to + verb. Here is a list of the most common ones at A2 level. It is a good idea to learn these verbs by heart.

Verb 1	Meaning	Example
want	to desire something	I want to learn English.
need	to require something	She needs to rest.
like	to enjoy something	We like to swim.
love	to really enjoy something	He loves to cook.
hate	to dislike very much	I hate to wake up early.
hope	to wish for something	They hope to travel soon.
plan	to organise something for the future	She plans to study medicine.
decide	to make a choice	He decided to stop smoking.
try	to make an effort	I try to exercise every day.
forget	to not remember	She forgot to call me.
remember	to think of something again	Did you remember to lock the door?
learn	to get new knowledge	I am learning to drive.
start	to begin	He started to laugh.
begin	to start	It began to rain.
ask	to request something	She asked to leave early.
refuse	to say no	He refused to eat the vegetables.
promise	to say you will definitely do something	I promise to help you.
manage	to succeed in doing something difficult	She managed to finish the test.

Sentence Examples in Context

Positive Sentences

In a positive sentence, we simply use the pattern: [Subject] + [Verb 1] + to + [Verb 2].

• I want to visit Paris.
• My brother needs to find a job.
• Anna hopes to pass her exam.
• We plan to buy a new car.
• The children love to play in the park.

Negative Sentences

To make a negative sentence, we put not after the helping verb (do/does/did). The structure is: [Subject] + do/does + not + [Verb 1] + to + [Verb 2].

• I do not want to go to the party.
• She does not like to wake up early.
• They do not plan to stay long.
• He did not remember to buy milk.

Note: We can also use contractions: don't, doesn't, didn't.

• I don't want to go.
• She doesn't like to wake up early.

Question Sentences

To make a question, we put Do/Does/Did at the beginning. The structure is: Do/Does/Did + [Subject] + [Verb 1] + to + [Verb 2]?

• Do you want to eat now?
• Does she need to leave early?
• Did he remember to call you?
• Do they plan to come to the party?

Verb + to + Verb: Full Pattern Table

Sentence Type	Pattern	Example
Positive	Subject + Verb 1 + to + Verb 2	I want to study.
Negative	Subject + don't/doesn't + Verb 1 + to + Verb 2	I don't want to study.
Question	Do/Does + Subject + Verb 1 + to + Verb 2?	Do you want to study?
Past Positive	Subject + Verb 1 (past) + to + Verb 2	I decided to study.
Past Negative	Subject + didn't + Verb 1 + to + Verb 2	I didn't want to study.
Past Question	Did + Subject + Verb 1 + to + Verb 2?	Did you decide to study?

Important Differences and Special Cases

Verb + to + Verb vs. Verb + -ing

Some verbs in English use to + verb (the infinitive). Other verbs use verb + -ing. This can be confusing, so here is a simple guide.

These verbs use to + verb:

• want, need, hope, plan, decide, promise, refuse, manage, learn

These verbs use verb + -ing:

• enjoy, finish, stop, avoid, practise, keep, suggest

At A2 level, the most important thing is to remember the verbs in this lesson use to + verb. You will learn more about verb + -ing in a separate lesson.

Examples to compare:

• I want to swim. ✅ (want → to + verb)
• I enjoy swimming. ✅ (enjoy → verb + -ing)

Like / Love / Hate: Both Forms Are Possible

The verbs like, love, and hate can be followed by to + verb or verb + -ing. Both are correct and the meaning is almost the same.

• I like to run. ✅
• I like running. ✅
• She loves to dance. ✅
• She loves dancing. ✅

At this level, you can use either form with like, love, and hate. Both are correct.

The Second Verb Always Stays in Its Basic Form

After to, the second verb is always in its basic form — it never changes. Do not add -s, -ed, or -ing to the second verb.

• She wants to go. ✅ (not: to goes / to going / to went)
• He needs to eat. ✅ (not: to eats / to eating / to ate)

Common Mistakes

Here are the most common mistakes that students make with verb + to + verb. Study them carefully so you do not make the same errors.

❌ She wants go to the shops.
✅ She wants to go to the shops.
(Do not forget the word "to" between the two verbs.)

❌ He needs to goes home.
✅ He needs to go home.
(The second verb does not change. Never add -s after "to".)

❌ I want to eating lunch.
✅ I want to eat lunch.
(Do not add -ing to the second verb after "to".)

❌ They decided to went to the cinema.
✅ They decided to go to the cinema.
(The second verb stays in its basic form. Do not use the past form after "to".)

❌ She want to study medicine.
✅ She wants to study medicine.
(Remember to add -s to the first verb when the subject is he/she/it.)

❌ I hope to going on holiday.
✅ I hope to go on holiday.
(Use the basic verb form after "to". Do not use -ing.)

More Example Sentences to Study

Read these sentences carefully. Notice how the pattern verb + to + verb is used in everyday situations.

• My mum wants to buy a new sofa.
• I forgot to send the email.
• We decided to eat at home tonight.
• Do you like to listen to music?
• He refused to clean his room.
• She is learning to drive.
• They hope to move to a new city.
• I promise to be on time.
• Did you remember to bring your bag?
• My dog loves to run in the park.

Verb + to + Verb: Quick Summary

Let's look at the key points from this lesson:

• When two verbs come together in a sentence, the second verb is often in the infinitive form: to + basic verb.
• The pattern is: [Subject] + [Verb 1] + to + [Verb 2].
• Common verbs followed by to + verb include: want, need, like, love, hate, hope, plan, decide, try, forget, remember, learn, start, begin, ask, refuse, promise, manage.
• Only the first verb changes (add -s for he/she/it in the present tense). The second verb always stays in its basic form.
• Do not add -s, -ing, or a past form to the second verb after to.
• Do not forget the word to between the two verbs.

Now practise verb + to + verb (infinitives) in the exercises below.