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Is there a name for the verbs that can precede other verbs?

English Language & Usage Asked on June 16, 2021

What are the names of the these following verbs in bold?

I want to eat food
I have to buy shoes
I like to know things
I need to find love

They are all verbs that, as far as I can tell, can precede other verbs and make complete sense.

One Answer

Besides the the term given in the comments the arrangement of verbs shown is referred to as a (verbal) construction or pattern, called "verb + to-infinitive" (ref.), or sometimes "verb + infinitive". This latter way to refer to it still permits to distinguish it from the construction where the verb follows without "to", as then this pattern is referred to as "verb + infinitive without "to" or "verb + bare infinitive". (There is but a few of these verbs, the most important ones being the modals; the use of the infinitive without "to" is characteristic of every instance of use of modals. (ref.))

Answered by LPH on June 16, 2021

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