He is about to (be) executed

Many writers omit the particle to before a following verb (the infinitive) after verbs such as want, need, plan, hope, ask, and expect. That omission usually produces an ungrammatical or ambiguous sentence.

Quick answer

Most verbs that introduce another action require to + base verb (to eat, to finish). Add to after verbs like want, need, plan, hope, expect, decide, ask, promise. Do not add to after modal verbs (can, will, must) or after constructions that use the bare infinitive (let, make). Help accepts both forms.

Correct: I want to leave.
Wrong: I want leave.
Correct: She is about to leave.
Wrong: She is about leave.
Modal/bare-infinitive exceptions: He can leave. She let him go.

Core explanation: what to marks and why it matters

To marks the infinitive (to + base verb). When the main verb in a sentence expects an infinitive partner, omitting to breaks the grammatical link and usually sounds wrong.

Some verbs and patterns use the bare infinitive (no to). Knowing which verbs take to and which do not resolves most errors.

To-infinitive: to + base form (to sign, to review, to reply).
Bare infinitive: base form without to (can go, let him go, make them stay).

Wrong: I want learn more about this tool.
Right: I want to learn more about this tool.

Grammar rules and quick exceptions

Memorize two groups: verbs that usually take to + infinitive, and verbs/patterns that require the bare infinitive. Help is flexible and accepts both forms.

When unsure, identify the first verb and ask whether it is a modal or a common 'take to' verb.

Usually take to: want, need, hope, plan, expect, decide, intend, promise, refuse, ask, would like.
Bare infinitive (no to): after modal verbs (can, could, will, would, shall, should, must), and after let and make in many active uses.
Help: both 'help me (do)' and 'help me to do' are acceptable; 'help do' is more informal.

Wrong: They decided cancel the contract.
Right: They decided to cancel the contract.
Wrong: She can to finish by Monday.
Right: She can finish by Monday.

Real usage and tone: formal vs casual

In formal writing (reports, academic work, professional emails) include to whenever the verb pattern requires it. Spoken English often clips words, but writing should follow standard forms.

For immediate future actions use about to; do not drop to. In casual speech, 'I'm about to head out' is normal, and the written form should match the spoken standard.

Formal: include to with verbs that require it for clear syntax.
Casual: speakers may drop words in conversation-avoid copying those shortcuts into professional writing.
Imminence: use 'about to' (She is about to sign).

Work - Formal: The team decided to postpone the launch.
Casual - Spoken: I'm about to head out. (correct in both speech and writing)

Examples: wrong/right pairs - work, school, casual (copyable templates)

Each wrong example omits to; the corrected sentence restores it. Use the right forms or adapt the pattern to your own sentence.

Work - Wrong: I need finish the report by Friday.
Work - Right: I need to finish the report by Friday.
Work - Wrong: She plans hire a consultant next quarter.
Work - Right: She plans to hire a consultant next quarter.
Work - Wrong: They're about cancel the meeting.
Work - Right: They're about to cancel the meeting.
Work - Wrong: He promised deliver the draft on Tuesday.
Work - Right: He promised to deliver the draft on Tuesday.
School - Wrong: He wants attend the lecture tomorrow.
School - Right: He wants to attend the lecture tomorrow.
School - Wrong: The teacher asked the class bring their books.
School - Right: The teacher asked the class to bring their books.
School - Wrong: They want study biology next semester.
School - Right: They want to study biology next semester.
Casual - Wrong: I want go out tonight.
Casual - Right: I want to go out tonight.
Casual - Wrong: He said he'd try fix it later.
Casual - Right: He said he'd try to fix it later.
Casual - Wrong: She's about leave now.
Casual - Right: She's about to leave now.
Wrong: I would like meet you next week.
Right: I would like to meet you next week.
Wrong: They decided not accept the offer.
Right: They decided not to accept the offer.

Rewrite help: templates and practical rewrites you can copy

Use these templates to fix sentences quickly. Below are practical rewrites that both restore to and improve clarity or tone.

Template (intention): [subject] + want/need/plan/hope + to + [verb].
Template (request): [subject] + asked/told + [object] + to + [verb].
Template (imminence): [subject] + be + about + to + [verb].

Rewrite:
Wrong: I need finish this. →
Rewrite: I need to finish this by tonight.
Rewrite:
Wrong: About leave in five minutes. →
Rewrite: I'm about to leave in five minutes.
Rewrite:
Wrong: She asked help. → Rewrite 1: She asked for help. → Rewrite 2 (if requesting action): She asked him to help.
Rewrite:
Wrong: They hope find a solution. →
Rewrite: They hope to find a solution before Friday.
Rewrite:
Wrong: He expected arrive at noon. →
Rewrite: He expected to arrive at noon, but his flight was delayed.
Rewrite:
Wrong: We plan launch the product in Q3. →
Rewrite: We plan to launch the product in Q3.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence rather than an isolated phrase. Context usually makes the correct form obvious.

Memory trick: fast ways to remember to add 'to'

Use a quick check before you send: if the first verb expresses desire, intention, request, or promise, mentally insert to and listen for natural flow.

DESIRE test: If the verb expresses Desire/Expect/Specify/Intent/Request/Endorse (want, expect, plan, intend, ask, promise) - add to.
Try adding to: If adding to makes the sentence read naturally, it's probably needed. If it sounds wrong after a modal (can, will), then don't add it.

Quick check: Substitute: 'I want to X' - if you get 'I can to X' the original construction was likely wrong.

Fix your own sentence: a short checklist

Run these steps when a sentence sounds clipped or off.

1) Identify the first verb and the following verb (e.g., want + go).
2) Ask: Does the first verb normally take to? (want, need, plan, hope, expect, decide, ask, promise → yes).
3) Check for exceptions: is the first verb a modal (can/will/must)? Is it let or make? If so, do not add to.
4) Insert to and read aloud. If it flows, keep it. If not, check for a modal or a different structure.
5) If 'ask' appears with no object, decide whether you need 'ask for' (She asked for help) or 'ask someone to do' (She asked him to leave).

Usage example: 'He asked leave early.' Step 1: asked + leave. Step 2: asked usually takes to → insert to. Correct: 'He asked to leave early.' If the intended meaning was 'he requested someone else leave,' write 'He asked them to leave.'

Hyphenation and spacing: 'about to' in compounds

'About to' is normally three words. When the phrase becomes a compound modifier before a noun, hyphens can link the words: an about-to-be-released album. Hyphens do not replace the infinitive marker.

Never write 'aboutbe' or 'aboutto' as single words. Hyphens are for compound adjectives before nouns, not for verb linkage in clauses.

Correct spacing: She's about to leave. (three words)
Compound modifier (before a noun): an about-to-be-released album.
Hyphenation doesn't remove the need for to in clauses: do not write 'They're aboutbe released.'

Wrong: They're aboutbe released next week.
Right: They're about to be released next week. / an about-to-be-released album

Similar mistakes to watch for

Other common confusions include gerund vs infinitive choices, adding to after modals, and the difference between ask + for and ask + to.

Gerund vs infinitive: 'I enjoy swimming' (gerund) vs 'I want to swim' (infinitive). Some verbs take one form, others both with a change in meaning.
Modal verbs: never add to after can/will/must - 'She can go' (not 'can to go').
Ask + for vs ask + to: 'She asked for help' (requested assistance) vs 'She asked him to help' (requested action).

Wrong: She must to leave now.
Right: She must leave now.
Wrong: I enjoy to swim.
Right: I enjoy swimming. / I want to swim.

FAQ

Can I drop 'to' after want?

No. Standard English requires to after want when it is followed by another verb: 'I want to go.' Omitting to ('I want go') is ungrammatical in writing and incorrect in formal speech.

Is 'about to' the only correct form for imminence?

'About to' is the standard expression for immediate future actions: 'She is about to leave.' You can use alternative phrasing like 'she's leaving soon,' but don't omit to from 'about to.'

When should I use a bare infinitive instead of 'to'?

Use a bare infinitive after modal verbs (can, will, must) and after let and make in many active constructions. Help can use either. Example: 'She can leave' vs 'She asked him to leave.'

How do I fix 'asked' + missing 'to' cases?

If 'asked' is followed by a verb with no to, insert to: Wrong: 'He asked leave early.' Correct: 'He asked to leave early.' If the meaning is 'asked someone to do something,' include the object: 'He asked her to leave early.' If you meant 'requested assistance,' use 'ask for help.'

Is adding 'to' always safe if I'm unsure?

Adding to is safe when the first verb typically takes a to-infinitive (want, need, plan, ask, hope). It is not safe after modals or in bare-infinitive patterns-adding to after a modal makes the sentence ungrammatical.

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