Infinitive Commands
Imposing one's will on others
Verbs Followed by an Infinitive or Subjunctive Verb Form
| INFINITIVE VERB FORM | SUBJUNCTIVE VERB FORM |
|---|---|
The verb is followed by the infinitive form of the verb. |
The verb is followed by a that-clause using the base form of the verb. (No -s is added for 3rd person singular.) |
The judge ordered John to leave. |
The judge ordered that John leave. |
The President commanded Congress to get back to work. |
The President commanded that Congress get back to work. |
They advised her to renew her visa. |
They advised that she renew her visa. |
The base form of the verb is used (no singular or plural agreement).
"Command" Verbs Followed by an Infinitive and/or Subjunctive Verb Form
| COMMAND VERBS | ||
|---|---|---|
Some verbs with the meaning of commanding someone to do something can be followed by either an infinitive or a that-clause with a subjunctive verb, other verbs can only be followed by the latter. (a that-clause with a subjunctive verb) |
||
advise We advised – him to leave / that he leave. |
desire We desire – him to leave / that he leave. |
recommend We recommend that he leave. |
ask We asked – him to leave / that he leave. |
forbid We forbid – him to leave / that he leave. |
request We request – him to leave / that he leave. |
beg We begged – him to leave / that he leave. |
insist We insisted that he leave. |
require We require – him to leave / that he leave. |
command We commanded – him to leave / that he leave. |
order We ordered– him to leave / that he leave. |
suggest We suggest that he leave. |
demand We demanded that he leave. |
propose We proposed that he leave. |
urge We urged – him to leave / that he leave. |
Also see: Command Clauses
Common Mistake
| ERROR | FIX |
|---|---|
* I advised that John leaves. |
I advised
John to leave. |
Related page: Command Clauses
Practice – Imposition of Will
Changing an Infinitive Phrase to a That-Clause
- Change the infinitive phrase to a "that" phrase . (Pay close attention to the verb tense.)
- Then, checks your answer.
Related practice: Quoted Commands to That-Clauses
