Representing thinking, perceiving, liking and desiring

Using verb patterns to represent thoughts and beliefs

page 11 of 15

Verb followed by an object and the to-infinitive

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The verbs in this category can be followed by an object, and the to-infinitive which represents an opinion which is presumed, thought, believed, etc:

I've no doubt the defendant believed himself to be in love with the woman he killed. (SCMP 26/3/94)

Here is a list of verbs which can be followed by an object, and the to-infinitive representing an opinion:

assume  expect  judge  believe find presume consider hold reckon choose intend think discover

Note that these verbs are typically used in the passive voice.

For further information about the use of passive voice with thinking verbs, see  Using passive voice: Passive voice with thinking and saying verbs.

With some of these verbs, the to-infinitive can be omitted when the verb is be:

It was issued by the rebel Emperor Hung Hsiu Ch'u who believed himself [^] divine. (Bank of English)

For further information about ellipsis with thinking verbs, see page 13 of this file.

Introduction
Participants associated with thinking verbs
Grammatical patterns associated with thoughts
Verb followed by a that clause
Verb followed by a noun group
Verb followed by a wh-clause
Verb followed by an if/whether clause
Verb followed by the -ing form
Verb followed by an object and the -ing form
Verb followed by the to-infinitive
Verb followed by an object and the to-infinitive
Verb followed by the actual words thought
Ellipsis and substitution with thinking verbs
Present simple v present continuous tense
A note on the order of participants