Common mistake 'afford', 'choose', etc. used with base form instead of infinitive
Avoiding Common Mistakes: Using 'Afford', 'Choose', etc. with the Base Form Instead of the Infinitive
When it comes to using certain verbs like 'afford', 'choose', and others, it is important to remember that they are typically followed by the infinitive form of the verb, rather than the base form.
Using 'Afford'
One common mistake is using 'afford' with the base form of the verb instead of the infinitive. For example:
- Incorrect: I can't afford to buy a new car now.
- Correct: I can't afford buying a new car now.
In the correct sentence, 'afford' is followed by the infinitive 'buying' instead of the base form 'buy'.
Using 'Choose'
Another verb that is often misused is 'choose'. It should always be followed by the infinitive form. Consider the following:
- Incorrect: I chose take the train instead of driving.
- Correct: I chose to take the train instead of driving.
In the correct sentence, 'chose' is followed by the infinitive 'to take' instead of the base form 'take'.
Other Verbs with the Same Pattern
Other verbs that follow the same pattern include 'decide', 'desire', 'expect', 'intend', 'promise', and 'wish', among others.
- She decided go on a holiday next month.
- She decided to go on a holiday next month.
In the correct sentence, 'decided' is followed by the infinitive 'to go' instead of the base form 'go'.
Using the correct form of these verbs is essential for conveying your intended meaning accurately. By using the infinitive form, you ensure your sentences are grammatically correct and clear.
Linguix grammar checker can help you identify and correct these common mistakes, ensuring your writing is error-free and professional.
'afford', 'choose', etc. used with base form instead of infinitive mistake examples
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Incorrect:We cannot afford spend the whole month in the Alps.Correct:We cannot afford to spend the whole month in the Alps.
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Correct:We cannot afford to spend the whole month in the Alps.
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Correct:He didn't deserve to lose his job.
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Correct:...that gorillas are intelligent enough to learn sign language.
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Correct:I choose uniform objects.
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Correct:I failed him and he deserved better.
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Correct:These carefully chosen marketing images ...
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Correct:Old people deserve respect.
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Correct:On that point the learned disagree.
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Correct:When destiny calls, the chosen have no choice.
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Correct:Pretend please you're my husband.
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Correct:Some CEOs we've chosen haven't made money for shareholders.
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Correct:Can the current techniques of machine learning be deployed successfully to solve even the simplest version of this environment?
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Incorrect:We cannot afford not spend the whole month in the Alps.Correct:We cannot afford not to spend the whole month in the Alps.
