Catenative Verbs

A catenative verb (also called a chain verb) takes a nonfinite clause as its complement.
"A catenative verb is a verb that controls a non-finite complement. 'Catenative' means
'chaining' and reflects the way that the verb can link recursively with other catenatives to form
a chain, as in:
We decided to try to rent a house near the sea.
Here there is a chain of three verbs: decide, try and rent, with to try to rent a house near the
sea functioning as the catenative complement of decide, and to rent a house near the
seafunctioning as the catenative complement of try."
(Angela Downing, English Grammar: A University Course. Routledge, 2006)

ETYMOLOGY
late 20th century: from Latin catena 'chain'
"The term 'catenative' is derived from the Latin word for 'chain,' for the construction is
repeatable in a way that enables us to form chains of verbs in which all except the last have a
non-finite complement:
She seems to want to stop trying to avoid meeting him.
Each of the italicized verbs here has a non-finite clause as complement."

"All our discontents about what we want appeared to spring from the want of thankfulness for
what we have."
(Daniel Defoe)
Catenative verbs are verbs which can be followed directly by another verb variously
in the to-infinitive, bare infinitive or present participle/gerund forms. For
example He deserves to win the cup, where deserve is a catenative verb which can be
followed directly 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. A
few can take both forms, but sometimes there is a difference in meaning.
If you are thinking of adding to this list, it is most important to distinguish between a real
catenative verb, such as decide 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 where I left to work is in
reality I left (home), followed by a purpose, To go to, or do, some work. A descriptive
gerund example: She left crying. is in reality a description meaning She left and at the
same time she was crying.

afford
At last I can afford to buy a new car.
agree
He agreed to work on Saturday.
aim
We aim to pleaseall our clients.
appear
I appear to have forgotten my glasses.
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, as they place the object between the two verbs when used actively.
allowed
You are allowed to wear jeans here.
forbid
You are forbidden to smokein here.
permit
But you are permitted to smokein here.
request
You are requested to leaveimmediately.
require
You are required to leavenow.
Followed by a gerund
admit
He admitted taking the money.
advise
I advise leaving immediately.
allow
We do not allow smoking here.
appreciate
I would appreciate receiving more help with this.
avoid
Please avoid touching the goods on display.
Followed by a to-infinitive
Followed by a to-infinitive or a gerund
No difference in meaning
bear
Note This verb is most commonly found in the form can bear/cant bear.
I cant bear to hear him sing.
I cant bear hearing him sing.
begin
It began to rain.
It began raining.

Difference in meaning
come
I came to realisethat things were not as they seemed. (I underwent a slow realisation.)
I asked her to come dancing (I invited her.)
go
They went to seea movie. (That is why they went.)*
They have gone fishing. (Go is used with sports activities ending -ing.)
go on
After a long career Ken went on to bea manager. (He changed to a different more prestigious activity.)
Some goalkeepers go on playing until they are 40. (They continue doing the same activity.)
go round/ go around
He went (a)round to seeif she was OK. (He went to one place.)*
He went (a)round saying terrible things about her. (He went to lots of different places [while] saying terrible things about her.)
get

Followed by a bare infinitive
dare
Note This is considered a semi-modal auxiliary verb. Particularly in negative, the modal form is preferred.
He darent climb the tree.
He didnt dare to climb the tree.
He didnt dare climb the tree.
help
Note The to is optional.
I helped to pack her bags.
I helped pack her bags.
go / come
Note This is most common in American English. In other varieties, and is generally inserted between the two words.
Come and go are not used this way except in their bare forms, ie, not *He went/camesit with her. or *He goes/comes sit with her. or *He is going/coming sit with
her.or *He had gone/comesit with her.
Go clean your room.
Go and clean your room.
I cant go watch that movie.
I cant go and watch that movie.
Comesit with me.
Comeand sit with me.
Followed by "and"
Expressions such as Go and clean your room and Try and do better are often analyzed
as hendiadys, the figure of speech in which one "substitutes conjunction for subordination".

Catenative Verbs

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A catenative verb (also called a chain verb) takes a nonfinite clause as its complement.

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