Representing thinking, perceiving, liking and desiring

Using verb patterns to represent desires and needs

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Verb followed by the to-infinitive

The verbs in this category can be followed by the to-infinitive, which represents the situation or activity which is hoped, needed, wanted, etc:

Details are very sketchy and we don't want to alarm anybody with unconfirmed reports. (SCMP 21/9/92)

Here is a list of verbs which can be followed by the to-infinitive:

ache  dread  long  aim expect need aspire fear cannot wait crave hope want desire hunger wish be dying to itch yearn

Many of these verbs when used in this pattern convey a rather formal tone:

I wish to draw attention to a substance present in the tissues and secretions of the body, which is capable of rapidly dissolving certain bacteria. (Microconcord Corpus B)

Introduction
Participants associated with desire verbs
Grammatical patterns associated with the phenomenon
Verb followed by the to-infinitive
Verb followed by a noun group
Verb followed by an object and the to-infinitive
Verb followed by the -ing form
Verb followed by an object and the -ing form
Verb followed by a that clause
Verb followed by an object and an adjective/-ed participle clause
Ellipsis with desire verbs
Present simple v present continuous tense