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.