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Catenative verbs are English language verbs which can be followed directly by another verb, in either the to infinitive or present participle / gerund forms. For example He deserves to win the cup, where "deserve" is a catenative verb which can be followed directly by another verb, in this case in the to infinitive form.

They are called "catenative" from their ability to form chains. For example: We promised to agree to try practicing playing tennis more often.

Most of these verbs demand that the following verb be in one or the other form only. A few can take both forms, but sometimes there is a difference in meaning.

• Some catenative verbs are followed by a to infinitive: "He agreed to work on Saturday"
• Some catenative verbs are used in passive voice followed by an infinitive: "You are forbidden to smoke in here"
• Some catenative verbs are followed by a gerund: "He admitted taking the money".
• Some catenative verbs are followed by a to infinitive or a gerund:
  • No difference in meaning:
    • It began to rain.
    • It began raining.
  • Difference in meaning:
    • I forgot to go to the shopping centre. (I remember that it is something I meant to do but didn’t do.)
    • I forget going to the shopping centre. (I cannot remember the experience of going to the store.)
• Some catenative verbs may be followed by a bare infinitive:
  • Optional:
    • I helped to pack her bags.
    • I helped pack her bags.
  • Special construction:^{[clarification needed]}
    • Go clean your room.
    • I can’t go watch that movie.

Related terms

In other fields, Catenation and Concatenation (disambiguation) refer to the joining of similar things in a series or chain.

References