Catenative Verbs List

Appendix:English catenative verbs

Catenative verbs are verbs which can be followed directly by another verb variouslyin the to-infinitive, bare infinitive or present participle/gerund forms. For example He

deserves to win the cup, where deserve [1] is a catenative verb which can be followeddirectly by another verb, in this case in the to-infinitive form.

Most of these verbs demand that the following verb be in one or the other form only. Afew can take both forms, but sometimes there is a difference in meaning.

They are called catenative [2] from their ability to form chains. We promised to agree totry practicing playing tennis more often.

If you are thinking of adding to this list, it is most important to distinguish between a real

catenative verb, such as decide [3] I decided to work. and a normal verb followed by aninfinitive of purpose (French: pour) or a descriptive gerund. A good example of a

non-catenative verb that could easily be confused is leave [4] where I left to work is inreality I left (home), followed by a purpose, To go to, or do, some work. A descriptivegerund example: She left crying. is in reality a description meaning She left and at thesame time she was crying.

[edit [5]] Followed by a to-infinitive

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:English_catenative_verbs

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afford [6]

At last I can afford to buy a new car.

agree [7]

He agreed to work on Saturday.

aim [8]

We aim to please all our clients.

appear [9]

I appear to have forgotten my glasses.

arrange [10]

I think we can arrange to put you in a doubleroom.

ask [11]

He asked to leave early.

attempt [12]

This is the second time we have attempted toclimb the mountain.

be able to [13]

help [30]

Note The to is optional.I helped to pack her bags.I helped pack her bags.

hesitate [31]

If you hesitate to make thereservation, you could losethe discount.

hope [32]

I hope to see my aunt thisweek-end.

long [33]

I am longing to go toParis.

move [34] (meaning propose[35])

I move to adjourn themeeting for lunch.

need [36]

I need to eat my lunch.


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Note This is also considered an auxiliary modal verb

similar to can [14], but sometimes it is used todifferentiate between general ability and a particularsituation.

Ask John. He will be able to help you.Normally I can do these problems, but I am notable to solve this one.

beg [15]

I beg to differ on that point.

care [16]

Would you care to choose another one, sir?

choose [17]

I will go when I choose to go, and not before.

condescend [18]

I dont know if the Senator will condescend to seeus.

consent [19]

He consented to pay for the dinner.

dare [20]

offer [37]

I offered to carry hersuitcase for her.

plan [38]

I plan to play football thisweek-end.

prepare [39]

Always be prepared tohelp others whenever youcan.

pretend [40]

I know you are onlypretending to be asleep.

proceed [41]

He proceeded to apply thelotion as instructed.

promise [42]

I promise to tell the truth.

refuse [43]


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Note This is considered a semi-modal auxiliary verb.Particularly in negative, the modal form is preferred.

He didnt dare to climb the tree.He didnt dare climb the tree.

decide [21]

We decided to buy the pink one in the end.

deserve [22]

You dont deserve to be treated like that.

expect [23]

I expect to receive the payment any day now.

fail [24]

I fail to understand your argument.

happen [25]

If it happens to fall, just put it back up again.

have [26]

Note have to [27] is also considered an auxiliary

modal verb similar to must [28], meaning obligation[29]

I refuse to take such sillyadvice.

seek [44]

I seek to triumph over ourenemies.

seem [45]

You seem to be rather tiredtoday.

strive [46]

He strives to teach well.

struggle [47]

The company will have tostruggle to survive theeconomic downturn.

swear [48]

I swear to tell the truth.

tend [49]

It tends to snow here inwinter.


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I have to go to work now. threaten [50]

He threatened to call thepolice.

undertake [51]

He undertook to finish thejob in less than ten days.

wait [52]

I cant wait to see her facewhen I tell her!

want [53]

I want to play the guitar.

Note (UK) usage with gerundbelow.

wish [54]

I wish to complain to themanager.

would like [55]

I would like to drink somewater.


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[edit [56]] In the passive voice followed by a to-infinitive

Note These verbs are not found in catenative form with to-infinitive except in the passive

voice [57], as they place the object between the two verbs when used actively.

allowed [58]

You are allowed to wear jeans here.

forbid [59]

You are forbidden to smoke in here.

permit [60]

But you are permitted to smoke in here.

request [61]

You are requested to leave immediately.

require [62]

You are required to leave now.

[edit [63]] Followed by a gerund

admit [64]

He admitted taking the money.

miss [84]

I miss playing football with my friends.


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advise [65]

I advise leaving immediately.

allow [66]

We do not allow smoking here.

appreciate [67]

I would appreciate receivingmore help with this.

avoid [68]

Please avoid touching the goodson display.

can't help [69]

I cant help liking the way hesmiles.

complete [70]

I have completed painting thekitchen.

consider [71]

Have you considered working atthe factory?

need [85]

Note (US) usage. Means require [86] or want[87].

That door needs painting.

permit [88]

Do they permit smoking in here?

practise [89] (universal, especially UK and

Commonwealth), practice [90] (US)

I like to practise playing the piano everyday.

quit [91]

I wish I could quit smoking.

recall [92]

I recall meeting you at the convention inNew York.

recommend [93]

I can recommend washing your clotheswith this product.


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delay [72]

We had to delay travellingbecause of the weather.

deny [73]

I deny taking the money.

detest [74]

I detest working on Sundays.

dislike [75]

I dislike working on Saturdays.

enjoy [76]

I enjoy watching snooker on theTV.

escape [77]

He escaped being run over byabout a millisecond!

finish [78]

When you finish painting theshed, let me know.

regret [94]

Note This verb is found with to infinitive insome set phrases. See next section.

I regret telling him about the party now.

resent [95]

I resent seeing him enjoying himself as ifnothing has happened.

resist [96]

How can you resist eating those lovelychocolates?

resume [97]

We will resume discussing this mattertomorrow.

risk [98]

We cant risk working in the dark.

stand [99]

Note This verb is most commonly found in

the form cant stand [100].I cant stand walking in the rain.


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forbid [79]

They forbid smoking in therestaurant.

imagine [80]

Can you imagine winning thelottery?

imply [81]

This plan implies buying anexpensive piece of equipment.

keep [82]

I didn't get anything so I kepttrying my best.

mind [83]

Would you mind closing thewindow, please?

suggest [101]

I suggest asking your teacher about it.

tolerate [102]

I wont tolerate swearing in this office.

want [103]

Note (UK) usage. Means require [104] or need[105].

That door wants painting.

give up [106]

Note Catenative phrasal verbs in general arefollowed by the gerund.

I gave up smoking last year.

[edit [107]] Followed by a to-infinitive or a gerund

[edit [108]] No difference in meaning


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bear [109]

Note This verb is most commonly found in the form cant bear [110].I cant bear to hear him sing.I cant bear hearing him sing.

begin [111]

It began to rain.It began raining.

bother [112]

He didn't bother to ask for permission.He didn't bother asking for permission.

continue [113]

It continued to rain.It continued raining.

disdain [114]

He disdained to speak with us.He disdained speaking with us.

intend [115]

I intend to finish this.I intend finishing this.


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like [116]

I like to eat pilaf.I like eating pilaf.

Note: See also section "Difference in meaning", where the "to" infinitive sometimes hasa specific meaning.

love [117]

I love to swim in the sea.I love swimming in the sea.

neglect [118]

I neglected to paint behind the cupboard.I neglected painting behind the cupboard.

prefer [119]

I prefer to work alone.I prefer working alone.

regret [120]

Note This verb is normally followed by the gerund, except in certain set phrases with

tell [121], say [122], and inform [123].I regret inviting him to the party now.I regret to tell you that the show has been cancelled.I regret to have to inform you that your brother has had a serious accident.


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start [124]

I started to learn Spanish three years ago.I started learning Spanish three years ago.

[edit [125]] Difference in meaning

come [126]

I came to realise that things were not as they seemed. (I underwent a slowrealisation.)I asked her to come dancing (I invited her.)

go [127]

They went to see a movie. (That is why they went.)*They have gone fishing. (Go is used with sports activities ending -ing.)

go on [128]

After a long career Ken went on to be a manager. (He changed to a different moreprestigious activity.)Some goalkeepers go on playing until they are 40. (They continue doing the sameactivity.)

go round [129]/ go around [130]

He went (a)round to see if she was OK. (He went to one place.)*He went (a)round saying terrible things about her. (He went to lots of different


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places saying terrible things about her.)

get [131]

Successful actors often get to go to film premires for free. (They have theprivilege.)Get going! (Hurry up!)

forget [132]

I forgot to go to the shopping centre. (I remember that it is something I meant to dobut didnt do.)I forget going to the shopping centre. (I cannot remember the experience of going tothe store.)Don't forget to lock the door when you go out. (Compare remember below.)

like [133]

I like to go to the dentist every 6 months. (I have the custom. I do not necessarilyenjoy it.)I like going to the cinema every week. (An activity that I enjoy.)

mean [134]

I meant to tell her yesterday, but I forgot. (Intention. I intended to tell her.)The promotion will mean moving to a new area. (Signify. Imply)

need [135]

I need to paint the house. (I need to do the activity .)The house needs painting. (The activity needs to be done to the house.)


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remember [136]

I remembered to lock the door. (I did not forget that I was supposed to lock thedoor, and I locked it.)I remember locking the door. (I can remember that I did this activity.)Remember to lock the door when you go out.

propose [137]

I propose to open up a little shop. (I have the intention of doing something)I propose going to that nice little restaurant by the beach. (I suggest, or make aproposal, for a group activity.)

stop [138]

Note Many sources state that this has two meanings. But some sources state that it is

nothing more than ellipsis [139] of the first activity in gerund form, as context willalways allow us to know what activity has stopped, followed by an infinitive of purpose[140].

I stopped driving.I stopped to drink some coffee. (This could be an ellipsed form of I stopped driving.followed by the purpose to drink some coffee.)*

try [141]

I tried to open the door, but it was locked. (I attempted and failed in an activity.)I tried opening the door. Then I tried opening the window. (I made an attempt orexperiment. Neither success nor failure is implied.)


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* In these cases, the to can be considered an ellipsis of in order to or an infinitive of

purpose [142].

[edit [143]] Followed by a bare infinitive

dare [144]

Note This is considered a semi-modal auxiliary verb. Particularly in negative, the modalform is preferred.

He darent climb the tree.He didnt dare to climb the tree.He didnt dare climb the tree.

help [145]

Note The to is optional.I helped to pack her bags.I helped pack her bags.

go [146] / come [147]

Note This is most common in American English. In other varieties, and [148] isgenerally inserted between the two words.Come and go are not used this way except in their bare forms, ie, not *He went/came sitwith her. or *He goes/comes sit with her. or *He is going/coming sit with her. or *Hehad gone/come sit with her.

Go clean your room.


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Go and clean your room.I cant go watch that movie.I cant go and watch that movie.Come sit with me.Come and sit with me.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/deserve1.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/catenative2.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/decide3.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/leave4.

http://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=Appendix:English_catenative_verbs&

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5.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/afford6.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/agree7.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/aim8.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/appear9.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/arrange10.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ask11.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/attempt12.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/be_able_to13.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/can14.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/beg15.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/care16.


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http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/choose17.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/condescend18.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/consent19.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dare20.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/decide21.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/deserve22.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/expect23.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fail24.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/happen25.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/have26.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/have_to27.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/must28.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/obligation29.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/help30.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hesitate31.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hope32.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/long33.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/move34.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/propose35.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/need36.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/offer37.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/plan38.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/prepare39.


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http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pretend40.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/proceed41.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/promise42.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/refuse43.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/seek44.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/seem45.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/strive46.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/struggle47.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/swear48.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tend49.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/threaten50.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/undertake51.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wait52.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/want53.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wish54.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/would_like55.


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56.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/passive_voice57.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/allowed58.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/forbid59.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/permit60.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/request61.


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http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/require62.


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63.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/admit64.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/advise65.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/allow66.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/appreciate67.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/avoid68.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/can%27t_help69.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/complete70.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/consider71.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/delay72.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/deny73.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/detest74.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dislike75.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/enjoy76.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/escape77.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/finish78.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/forbid79.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/imagine80.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/imply81.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/keep82.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mind83.


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http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/miss84.




http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/permit88.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/practise89.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/practice90.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/quit91.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/recall92.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/recommend93.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/regret94.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/resent95.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/resist96.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/resume97.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/risk98.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/stand99.

http://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=can%E2%80%99t_stand&action=edit&redlink=1100.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/suggest101.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tolerate102.




http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/give_up106.


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107.


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108.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bear109.

http://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=can%E2%80%99t_bear&action=edit&redlink=1110.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/begin111.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bother112.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/continue113.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/disdain114.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/intend115.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/like116.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/love117.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/neglect118.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/prefer119.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/regret120.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tell121.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/say122.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/inform123.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/start124.


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125.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/come126.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/go127.


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http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/go_on128.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/go_round129.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/go_around130.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/get131.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/forget132.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/like133.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mean134.


http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/remember136.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/propose137.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/stop138.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ellipsis139.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/infinitive_of_purpose140.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/try141.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/infinitive_of_purpose142.


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143.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dare144.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/help145.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/go146.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/come147.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/and148.


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Documents

Catenative Verbs List