'afford', 'choose', etc. used with base form instead of infinitive

Certain verbs-especially those that express decisions, intentions, plans, promises or expectations-normally take to + base verb (the to-infinitive). Dropping to or swapping in an -ing form usually makes the sentence ungrammatical or awkward.

Below: concise rules, focused examples (wrong/right pairs), quick rewrite templates, and short tests you can use when editing work, school or casual writing.

Quick answer

Use to + base verb after verbs of decision, intention, plan, promise, expectation or desire (examples: afford, choose, decide, intend, promise, expect, hope, plan, refuse). If you see verb + base verb (I decided go), insert to (I decided to go).

Common verbs that take to + verb: afford, choose, decide, intend, promise, expect, plan, hope, wish, refuse, offer, manage.
Do not confuse these with verbs that take -ing (enjoy, avoid, consider) or with modal/bare infinitive constructions (can, must, help).
Quick test: insert to before the second verb and read the sentence aloud; if it sounds correct, keep it.

Core explanation: which verbs require the to-infinitive

Verbs that express a plan, choice, intention or promise typically use the pattern: verb + to + base verb. In formal writing, prefer the to-infinitive after decision-type verbs.

Typical verbs: afford, choose, decide, intend, promise, expect, plan, hope, wish, refuse, offer, learn (to), manage (to).
If you find verb + -ing after one of these verbs, it is often incorrect in standard English-use to + verb instead.

Wrong: I can't afford buying a new car now.
Right: I can't afford to buy a new car now.
Wrong: I chose take the train instead of driving.
Right: I chose to take the train instead of driving.
Wrong: She decided go on holiday next month.
Right: She decided to go on holiday next month.

Grammar mechanics: why "to" matters (brief)

The word to marks the infinitive and shows the first verb points to an intended action. Removing to usually breaks that link and makes the sentence ungrammatical.

Exceptions and notes:

Modal verbs (can, must) take the bare infinitive: she can go, he must leave.
Help can take either: help do / help to do.
Verbs of liking/disliking take -ing: enjoy writing, avoid travelling.

Wrong: He promised doing the report by Friday.
Right: He promised to do the report by Friday.
Wrong: I intend calling you tomorrow.
Right: I intend to call you tomorrow.

Real usage: workplace examples (professional phrasing)

In emails and reports, omitting to looks careless. Use the to-infinitive after plan/decide/intend/expect/promise to keep tone professional and clear.

Work - Wrong: We plan submit the report Monday.
Work - Right: We plan to submit the report Monday.
Work - Wrong: I expect finish the review by Friday.
Work - Right: I expect to finish the review by Friday.
Work - Usage: She promised to update the team after the client call.

Examples: school and everyday/casual contexts

Students and casual writers sometimes drop to when writing quickly. Most fixes require inserting a single word.

School - Wrong: I decided change my major next semester.
School - Right: I decided to change my major next semester.
School - Wrong: She hopes finish her thesis before summer.
School - Right: She hopes to finish her thesis before summer.
School - Wrong: They promised provide extra references.
School - Right: They promised to provide extra references.
Casual - Wrong: I can't afford buying a night out this week.
Casual - Right: I can't afford to go out this week.
Casual - Wrong: I chose stay home and chill.
Casual - Right: I chose to stay home and chill.
Casual - Wrong: She wished see the movie but had no time.
Casual - Right: She wished to see the movie but had no time.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence. Context often clarifies whether to add to. If you want a quick automated check, use the widget below.

Rewrite help: copy-paste fixes and short patterns

Most errors are fixed by inserting to before the base verb. Memorize a few templates and use them as quick rewrites.

Templates: decided to + verb, can't afford to + verb, promised to + verb, expect to + verb, plan to + verb.

Rewrite:
Wrong: I can't afford buying a laptop now. → I can't afford to buy a laptop now.
Rewrite:
Wrong: She chose work remotely next month. → She chose to work remotely next month.
Rewrite:
Wrong: He promised sending the files. → He promised to send the files.
Rewrite:
Wrong: We plan launch the product in June. → We plan to launch the product in June.
Rewrite:
Wrong: I hope find a mentor this semester. → I hope to find a mentor this semester.
Rewrite:
Wrong: They expect arrive late. → They expect to arrive late.

Memory tricks and quick tests

Two simple mnemonics help: Decision verbs → TO. Enjoy verbs → -ING.

Two-step test: 1) Does the main verb express deciding/planning/promising/hoping/expecting? 2) If yes, insert to before the next verb and read aloud-if it sounds natural, keep it.

Decision verbs = TO. Enjoy verbs = -ING. Help = bare infinitive or to.
If a verb allows both forms (try, stop), check whether meaning changes: try to do (attempt) vs try doing (experiment).

Similar mistakes and special verbs

Some verbs always take -ing (enjoy, avoid, consider, suggest, mind, miss). Others accept both forms with different meanings (try) or both as acceptable choices (help).

Wrong: I enjoy to play basketball.
Right: I enjoy playing basketball.
Wrong: He tried fixing the bug (meaning unclear).
Right: He tried to fix the bug. (attempt)
Right: He tried fixing the bug. (experiment)
Usage: She helped me (to) move the desk-both forms are acceptable.

Hyphenation, spacing and punctuation notes

Do not hyphenate the to-infinitive: write to go, not to-go. Use a single space around to. Splitting an infinitive is acceptable when it improves clarity (to boldly go).

Avoid creating hyphenated phrases like decided-to-leave-rewrite instead.
If an infinitive phrase becomes long, consider recasting it as a clause for clarity.
Acceptable split infinitive example: He decided to quickly finish the draft.

FAQ

Should I say "afford to buy" or "afford buying"?

Use afford to + verb in standard English: "I can't afford to buy a new phone." Afford + -ing appears in some dialects; avoid it in formal writing.

Can I drop "to" after decide in casual speech?

Speakers sometimes drop words in fast speech, but in writing always include to: "I decided to go." Omitting it in writing will be read as an error.

Which verbs always take -ing instead of to + verb?

Common gerund-taking verbs include enjoy, avoid, consider, suggest, mind and miss. Example: "She enjoys swimming," not "She enjoys to swim."

Is "help me move" or "help me to move" better?

Both are correct. "Help me move" (bare infinitive) is slightly more informal; "help me to move" is also acceptable. Choose based on tone.

How can I quickly check whether to add "to" in my sentence?

Ask: does the main verb express a plan/decision/expectation/promise/wish? If yes, insert to before the next verb and read it aloud. If it sounds natural, keep it.

Need a quick check?

When unsure, paste the sentence into a grammar tool or ask a native speaker. Most fixes are a single-word insertion-save the rewrite templates above for fast edits.