3.01 Verbs not allowing infinitive objects

Examples of errors:

1. We cannot justify to sacrifice those who are deprived of their rights.
2. People should stop to live in a world of dreams.
3. I just enjoy to give them something.
4. Nobody should miss to see that movie.
5. They find it easier to adopt these methods instead of risking to try out newer and better methods.
6. A film which avoids violence risks to lose their interest.
7. They always taught us to avoid to have prejudices.
8. I've given up to think about what I could do about it.
9. I can't imagine to get presents on Christmas Eve.
10. When 1 was in school, I imagined to teach better than the-teachers themselves.
11. The teacher should recommend to read Max Frisch's books.
12. They fear to lose their jobs.
13. I suggest to them to play with us.
14. I would suggest to them to play with us.
15. He suggested me to write an essay on that topic.
16. If you still suspect Daniel not to be good enough f or Rachel, then tell her.
17. Huxley warned men to become the cancer of our planet.-
18. Everyone is educated to defend these values, which hinders man to take into consideration the following generations.
19. To prevent women to kill themselves and to avoid unwanted children, abortion should be legal.
20. Governments should try td set the stage for individual initiative by taking heed to avoid tensions,
21. The motion picture industry has achieved to produce a great public interest in science fiction films.
22. I suggested to go shopping the last week before Christmas.
23. I think to have some problems with if clauses.

The sentences above contain verbs that do not allow infinite clause objects. Infinitive objects should not be confused with infinitives of purpose, which are superficially similar but represent underlying adverbials and are quite different in meaning. Compare with (2), for example:

The little boy bent over (in order) to pick up the ball.

Verbs that do allow infinitive clause objects include: agree, aim, arrange ask, attempt, choose, claim, consent, dare, decide, decline, demand, deserve, determine, expect, hope, learn, long, manage, mean. offer, pretend, promise, refuse, threaten, want, wish, etc. For example:

He agreed/arranged/chose to come.