Representing thinking, perceiving, liking and desiring

Using verb patterns to represent desires and needs

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Verb followed by an object and the to-infinitive

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

The administration is counting on unemployment to drop by the election.
(Bank of English)

The following verbs can be followed by an object and the to-infinitive, typically for (polite) commands:

count on  would prefer  desire  want  would like wish need

A small group of verbs (long for, wish for, yearn for) are typically followed by an object plus the to-infinitive, without the sense of giving a command:

I imagine him … longing for the bell to ring.

Others enjoy the publicity or attention and yearn for this to continue.
(Bank of English)

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