When to use to + infinitive

When to use to + infinitive

Ask- permisson/help
I asked my mum to help me with my homework.

Agree- agree to do something

My mum agreed to let me go to the party.
My friend didn’t agree to help me.
I agreed to give her my new lipstick to borrow.

Fail
I fail to see why you won’t help me.

Would like
I would like to go to Australia, New Zealand and Africa.
I would like to stay in a big house in Miami with a big swimming pool.
I wouldn’t like to go backpacking somewhere like Cambodia because it is too hard.

I do like to go camping though.

To go to and go to
I want to go to the theatre next week.

I might go to Paris in the holidays to stay with my cousins.
Note here we have go to Paris and to stay as it’s a noun.

I went to Thailand last year.

Manage / succeed
I didn’t manage to finish my homework.

Learn
I am going to learn to play the piano.
I am learning to play the guitar.
I am learning to read in English.
I learnt to make my own perfume.

 decide, want, promise, plan and forget.

She decided to go with Elliot instead.
I wanted to visit Rome.
She promised to take me there.
I planned to go to some real Italian restaurants.
She didn’t forget to phone.

The negative is verb + not + infinitive.

They decided not to make pizza.

Here are more verbs  that are usually followed by the infinitive:

hope     offer     fail     agree     forget     manage     learn     afford     arrange     ask     expect     would like     decide     plan     promise     want     invite

The to-infinitive to indicate the purpose or intention of an action

In this case to has the same meaning as in order to or so as to.

Examples

• She came to collect her pay cheque.
• The three bears went to find firewood.
• I am calling to ask you about dad.
• You sister has gone to finish her homework.

The to-infinitive to indicate what something can or will be used for
In this pattern, the to-infinitive follows a noun or pronoun.

Examples

• The children need a garden to play in.
• I would like a sandwich to eat.
• I don't have anything to wear.
• Would you like something to drink?