Category:Catenative verbs

Catenative verbs are verbs that can be followed directly by another verb, which is variously in the plain form, gerund-participle form or past participle form. Commonly the non-finite clause headed by the second verb serves as the catenative complement of the first verb. For example, in He deserves to win the cup, deserve is a catenative verb, followed directly by another verb to in the plain form, and to win the cup is an auxiliary-headed non-finite clause functioning as the catenative complement of deserve.

The name catenative derives from these verbs' ability to form chains: We promised to agree to try practicing playing tennis more often.

Before adding to this list, it is important to distinguish between a real catenative verb, such as decide, as in I decided to work, and a normal verb followed by an infinitival of purpose or a descriptive gerund-participle. A good example of a fake catenative that could easily be confused is leave, as in I left to work, which means in reality I left (someplace), followed by a purpose adjunct, to go to, or do, some work. A descriptive gerund-participle example like She left crying is in fact a description meaning She left and at the same time she was crying.