Unique to the English language, catenative verbs form strings of verbs by linking the catenative verb to an infinitive, present participle, or base form of another verb. Derived from the verb catenate, which means “to connect, to link, to string together,” the adjective catenative refers to the connecting of one verb to another within a single verb phrase and without a conjunction. The verb that follows the catenative verb functions either as a direct object (usually) or a verb phrase complement (sometimes). The following dictionary lists the most common catenative verbs in the English language as well as the form that follows the verb.

A

admit – present participle
advise – present participle
afford – infinitive
agree – infinitive
aim – infinitive
allow – present participle
allowed (passive) – infinitive
appear – infinitive
appreciate – present participle
arrange – infinitive
ask – infinitive
asked (passive) – infinitive
attempt – infinitive
avoid – present participle

B

bear – infinitive, present participle
beg – infinitive
begin – infinitive, present participle
bother – infinitive

C

care – infinitive
choose – infinitive
complete – present participle
come – base
condescend – infinitive
consent – infinitive
consider – present participle
continue – infinitive, present participle

D

dare – infinitive
decide – infinitive
delay – present participle
deny – present participle
deserve – infinitive
detest – present participle
dislike – present participle

E

enjoy – present participle
escape – present participle
expect – infinitive

F

fail – infinitive
finish – present participle
forbid – present participle
forget – infinitive

G

go – base

H

happen – infinitive
have – infinitive
help – infinitive, present participle, base
hesitate – infinitive
hope – infinitive

I

imagine – present participle
imply – present participle
intend – infinitive, present participle

J

K

keep – present participle

L

like – infinitive, present participle
long – infinitive
love – infinitive, present participle

M

mean – infinitive, present participle
mind – present participle
miss – present participle

N

neglect – infinitive, present participle

O

offer – infinitive

P

permit – present participle
plan – infinitive
practice – present participle
prefer – infinitive, present participle
prepare – infinitive
pretend – infinitive
proceed – infinitive
promise – infinitive
propose – infinitive, present participle

Q

quit – present participle

R

recall – present participle
recommend – present participle
refuse – infinitive
regret – present participle
remember – infinitive, present participle
resent – present participle
resist – present participle
resume – present participle
risk – present participle

S

seem – infinitive
stand – present participle
start – infinitive, present participle
stop – infinitive, present participle
strive – infinitive
suggest – present participle
swear – infinitive