Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Many English verbs require a 'to' before the following verb to express purpose, desire, or necessity.
- Use 'to' + base verb after verbs like want, need, and hope. Example: 'I want to eat.'
- For negatives, put 'not' before 'to'. Example: 'I decided not to go.'
- Never use '-ing' after these specific verbs. Example: 'I hope to see you' (NOT 'I hope seeing you').
Overview
to-infinitive(to 부정사)를 사용하는 구조입니다.want나 need와 같은 동사들은 반드시 to와 동사원형이 결합된 형태를 목적어로 취합니다.to라는 전치사가 가진 '미래로 향하는 화살표' 같은 성질을 이해하면, 왜 어떤 동사들이 to-infinitive와 짝을 이루는지 논리적으로 파악할 수 있습니다. 이번 강의에서는 한국인 학습자들이 가장 헷갈려하는 포인트와 실생활에서 바로 쓸 수 있는 예시들을 통해 이 문법을 완벽히 정복해 보겠습니다.to-infinitive는 기본적으로 미래지향적(Future-oriented)인 성격을 가지고 있습니다. 아직 일어나지 않은 일, 앞으로 할 일, 혹은 마음속에 품고 있는 의도를 나타낼 때 주로 사용됩니다.~하기, ~하는 것이라는 표현을 씁니다.- «나는 커피 마시는 것을 원해.»
- «나는 공부하기를 결정했어.»
to drink, to study입니다. 그런데 영어에는 ~ing 형태인 동명사(Gerund)도 '것'으로 해석되죠? 여기서 한국인 학습자들의 고민이 시작됩니다. "둘 다 '~하는 것'인데 왜 want 뒤에는 to만 써야 할까?"to의 본질에 있습니다. to는 본래 전치사로서 '~로 향하여'라는 방향성을 나타냅니다. 따라서 마음이 어떤 행동을 향해 가고 있는 상태(want, hope, plan)나, 아직 실현되지 않은 미래의 행동을 나타낼 때는 to-infinitive가 훨씬 자연스러운 것입니다. 반면, 이미 하고 있거나 과거부터 해온 일에는 -ing가 더 어울립니다.to-infinitive를 수반하는 동사 구문은 매우 일관된 패턴을 따릅니다. 가장 중요한 원칙은 본동사(Main Verb)만 시제와 주어에 맞춰 변화시키고, 뒤에 오는 to + 동사원형은 절대 변하지 않는다는 점입니다.주어(Subject) + 본동사(Tense/Agreement applied) + to + 동사원형(Base Form)to 뒤의 동사에도 -s를 붙이거나, 과거형일 때 to 뒤에도 -ed를 붙이는 실수를 합니다. 하지만 to 뒤는 언제나 '태초의 상태'인 동사원형이어야 합니다.I | 현재 | want | to study | I want to study at a cafe. |She | 현재 | wants | to study | She wants to study at a cafe. |We | 과거 | planned | to meet | We planned to meet at the PC bang. |They | 미래 | will need | to go | They will need to go home early. |to study, to meet, to go는 문장의 환경이 바뀌어도 꿋꿋하게 그 형태를 유지합니다. 이 '덩어리'를 하나의 세트로 인식하는 연습이 필요합니다.to-infinitive와 함께 쓰이는지 카테고리별로 살펴보겠습니다.to와 찰떡궁합입니다.want:I want to order delivery food.(배달 음식을 시키고 싶어요.)hope:I hope to pass the exam.(시험에 합격하기를 바라요.)would like:I would like to drink an iced americano.(아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 마시고 싶네요.)wish:She wishes to stay in Korea longer.(그녀는 한국에 더 오래 머물기를 원해요.)
decide:We decided to go to Jeju Island for vacation.(우리는 휴가 때 제주도에 가기로 결정했어요.)plan:I plan to study English every day.(매일 영어 공부를 할 계획입니다.)promise:He promised to call me after work.(그는 퇴근 후에 전화하겠다고 약속했어요.)agree:They agreed to help us with the project.(그들은 우리 프로젝트를 돕기로 동의했습니다.)
need:You need to wear a mask inside the hospital.(병원 안에서는 마스크를 써야 합니다.)afford:I can't afford to buy a new iPhone right now.(지금 당장 새 아이폰을 살 형편이 안 돼요.)
try:I'll try to finish the report by 5 PM.(오후 5시까지 리포트를 끝내도록 노력해 볼게요.)learn:My nephew is learning to swim.(제 조카는 수영을 배우고 있어요.)manage:I managed to get a ticket for the concert.(가까스로 콘서트 티켓을 구했어요.)
seem:The cafe seems to be very popular.(그 카페는 아주 인기가 많아 보여요.)appear:He appears to be disappointed with the result.(그는 결과에 실망한 것처럼 보여요.)
to를 빼먹고 동사만 나열하는 경우to를 잊어버리는 경우가 많습니다.- 잘못된 예:
I want study English.(X) - 올바른 예:
I want to study English.(O) - 설명: 영어에서 한 문장에 본동사가 두 개(want, study) 나란히 올 수는 없습니다. 반드시
to라는 연결고리가 필요합니다.
to 뒤에 -ing를 붙이는 경우-ing)에 익숙한 학습자들이 to 뒤에도 습관적으로 -ing를 붙이곤 합니다.- 잘못된 예:
I hope to seeing you soon.(X) - 올바른 예:
I hope to see you soon.(O) - 설명:
to가 전치사로 쓰이는 특수한 경우(look forward to ~ing등)를 제외하고, 대부분의 동사 뒤에 오는to-infinitive는 동사원형을 써야 합니다.
to 뒤의 동사에도 적용하는 경우- 잘못된 예:
She needs to goes home.(X) - 올바른 예:
She needs to go home.(O) - 설명: 주어
She에 대한 변화는 이미needs에서 끝났습니다. 뒤에 오는to go는 형태가 고정된 '부정사'입니다.
to-infinitive 덩어리가 와야 합니다.- 한국어 사고: «나는 (유튜브 보는 것을) 원해.»
- 영어 사고: «나는 원해 (유튜브 보는 것을).» →
I want (to watch YouTube).
to-infinitive를 쓰는 동사와 Gerund(-ing)를 쓰는 동사를 구별하는 것입니다. 어떤 동사들은 둘 다 취할 수 있지만 의미가 완전히 달라지기도 합니다.Remember to lock the door. (문 잠글 것을 기억해라 - 미래의 할 일) | I remember locking the door. (문 잠갔던 것을 기억한다 - 과거의 경험) |Don't forget to bring your ID. (신분증 가져올 거 잊지 마 - 미래의 할 일) | I'll never forget meeting her. (그녀를 만났던 것을 결코 잊지 못할 거야 - 과거의 추억) |I tried to open the window. (창문을 열려고 노력/시도했다 - 애를 씀) | I tried opening the window. (시험 삼아 창문을 한번 열어봤다 - 시도해봄) |He stopped to smoke. (담배를 피우기 위해 멈췄다 - 목적) | He stopped smoking. (담배 피우는 것을 그만뒀다 - 중단) |want, need, decide, hope처럼 «아직 안 한 일»에 대해 말할 때는 무조건 to를 선택하세요. 반면 enjoy, finish, quit처럼 «이미 하고 있거나 끝낸 일»에 대해 말할 때는 -ing가 오는 경우가 많습니다.want to를 wanna라고 해도 되나요?want to로 풀어서 써야 합니다. 또한 주어가 3인칭 단수일 때 She wanna라고 하는 것은 문법적으로 틀린 표현입니다(She wants to가 맞습니다).I want you to help me처럼 중간에 사람이 들어가는 건 뭔가요?want 뒤에 대상을 넣고 그 뒤에 to-infinitive를 쓰면, 그 대상이 이 행동을 해주길 바란다는 의미가 됩니다. need, ask, tell 등도 이 구조를 자주 씁니다.need to와 have to는 똑같은 뜻인가요?need to는 주관적인 필요성(«내가 생각하기에 이게 필요해»)에 가깝고, have to는 외부적인 규칙이나 상황에 의한 강한 의무(«규칙상 어쩔 수 없이 해야 해»)에 가깝습니다. 하지만 일상 대화에서는 혼용해서 써도 큰 무리는 없습니다.to 앞에 not을 붙이면 됩니다.I decided not to go. (나는 가지 않기로 결정했어.)I didn't decide to go (나는 가는 것을 결정하지 않았어)와는 의미가 약간 다르니 주의하세요!Conjugating the Main Verb (Infinitive stays the same)
| Subject | Main Verb (Tense) | Infinitive Bridge | Base Verb | Full Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
want (Present)
|
to
|
travel
|
I want to travel.
|
|
He
|
wants (Present)
|
to
|
travel
|
He wants to travel.
|
|
They
|
wanted (Past)
|
to
|
travel
|
They wanted to travel.
|
|
She
|
is planning (Continuous)
|
to
|
travel
|
She is planning to travel.
|
|
We
|
will need (Future)
|
to
|
travel
|
We will need to travel.
|
|
You
|
should try (Modal)
|
to
|
travel
|
You should try to travel.
|
Informal Spoken Reductions
| Full Form | Spoken Reduction | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
|
want to
|
wanna
|
I wanna go.
|
Never use in formal writing.
|
|
going to
|
gonna
|
I'm gonna win.
|
Used for future intentions.
|
|
got to
|
gotta
|
I gotta leave.
|
Means 'have to' or 'must'.
|
Meanings
A grammatical structure where a primary verb is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to indicate the objective or intent of the subject.
Expressing Desire
Using verbs like 'want', 'wish', or 'would like' to show what someone hopes will happen.
“I want to travel to Japan next year.”
“They would like to order some pizza.”
Expressing Necessity
Using verbs like 'need' or 'have' to show an obligation or requirement.
“We need to buy more milk.”
“You have to wear a seatbelt.”
Expressing Plans and Decisions
Using verbs like 'decide', 'plan', 'hope', or 'agree' to talk about future intentions.
“She decided to quit her job.”
“We are planning to move to London.”
Attempts and Failures
Using verbs like 'try', 'attempt', 'fail', or 'manage' to describe the effort put into an action.
“He tried to open the window.”
“I managed to finish the report on time.”
Reference Table
| 자주 쓰는 동사 | 의미 | to 부정사와 함께 쓰는 예문 | 간단 팁 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
want
|
Desire/Wish
|
I want to learn Spanish.
|
가장 기본적인 바람 표현!
|
|
need
|
Necessity/Requirement
|
You need to register for classes.
|
꼭 해야 하는 일!
|
|
plan
|
Intention/Arrangement
|
We plan to visit Europe next year.
|
미래를 계획할 때!
|
|
decide
|
Make a choice
|
She decided to get a new haircut.
|
어떤 행동을 결정할 때!
|
|
hope
|
Wish for something positive
|
He hopes to find a good job.
|
긍정적인 기대를 할 때!
|
|
agree
|
Reach a consensus
|
They agreed to share the costs.
|
함께 의견을 모을 때!
|
|
learn
|
Acquire skill/knowledge
|
I want to learn to play guitar.
|
새로운 기술을 배울 때!
|
|
promise
|
Give assurance
|
I promise to help you tomorrow.
|
약속을 할 때!
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
I wish to depart now. (Leaving a location)
I want to leave. (Leaving a location)
I wanna go. (Leaving a location)
I'm outtie. (Leaving a location)
동사 + to 부정사: 의도 표현하기
바람 / 소원
- want I want to relax.
- hope She hopes to succeed.
- wish I wish to speak.
계획 / 의도
- plan We plan to travel.
- decide He decided to study.
- intend They intend to stay.
필요 / 의무
- need You need to finish.
- agree We agreed to meet.
- promise I promise to help.
능력 / 노력
- learn She learned to drive.
- manage He managed to escape.
- afford I can't afford to buy.
to 부정사 vs. 동명사 (간단히 살펴보기)
to 부정사 (to + Verb) 선택하기
첫 번째 동사가 바람, 계획, 또는 미래 의도를 표현하나요?
해야 할 일이거나 하기로 결정한 것에 대해 이야기하고 있나요?
배우고 있거나 해낸 기술에 대해 말하고 있나요?
to 부정사 동사 그룹
바람 & 미래
- • want to
- • hope to
- • wish to
- • expect to
- • aim to
계획 & 결정
- • plan to
- • decide to
- • intend to
- • agree to
- • refuse to
필요 & 노력
- • need to
- • manage to
- • learn to
- • afford to
- • fail to
약속 & 제안
- • promise to
- • offer to
- • threaten to
- • volunteer to
수준별 예문
I want to eat.
I want to eat.
I need to sleep.
I need to sleep.
Do you want to play?
Do you want to play?
She needs to go home.
She needs to go home.
I hope to see you soon.
I hope to see you soon.
We decided to stay here.
We decided to stay here.
He promised to call me.
He promised to call me.
They plan to buy a car.
They plan to buy a car.
I managed to finish the work.
I managed to finish the work.
She refused to answer the phone.
She refused to answer the phone.
We agreed not to talk about it.
We agreed not to talk about it.
I am learning to drive a car.
I am learning to drive a car.
He seems to be enjoying the party.
He seems to be enjoying the party.
I didn't expect to be invited.
I didn't expect to be invited.
She appears to have lost her keys.
She appears to have lost her keys.
They hesitated to ask for help.
They hesitated to ask for help.
I would hate for you to miss out.
I would hate for you to miss out.
He neglected to mention the cost.
He neglected to mention the cost.
We endeavored to reach an agreement.
We endeavored to reach an agreement.
To simply ignore the problem is unwise.
To simply ignore the problem is unwise.
She was to have been the keynote speaker.
She was to have been the keynote speaker.
I happened to overhear their conversation.
I happened to overhear their conversation.
The bridge is yet to be completed.
The bridge is yet to be completed.
He was so lucky as to win the lottery.
He was so lucky as to win the lottery.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners often put 'to' after all verbs, including modals like 'can', 'must', and 'should'.
Some verbs like 'enjoy' or 'finish' look like they should take 'to' but they take '-ing'.
The verb 'try' can take both, but the meaning changes.
자주 하는 실수
I want go.
I want to go.
I need eating.
I need to eat.
He wants to goes.
He wants to go.
I must to go.
I must go.
I hope seeing you.
I hope to see you.
She decided to not go.
She decided not to go.
We plan to buying a house.
We plan to buy a house.
I managed finishing.
I managed to finish.
He refused to telling me.
He refused to tell me.
I would like for to go.
I would like to go.
I hesitated to not asking.
I hesitated not to ask.
문장 패턴
I want to ___ because ___.
She decided not to ___ after ___.
Do you need to ___ before you ___?
I managed to ___ despite ___.
Real World Usage
I would like to order the steak, please.
I hope to contribute to your team's success.
Wanna grab a drink later?
I need to check my bags.
I need to see the doctor about my back.
I decided to start a new hobby today!
'미래 행동'을 생각해요!
I want to visit you next week.
'to'를 잊지 마세요!
I want go home이라고 하는 실수가 많아요. '동사 + to + 동사 원형'을 꼭 기억하세요. 'to'는 이 문법 구조에서 정말 중요하답니다.
I need to study.
듣고 따라 해 봐요!
I want to learn English.
'Would Like'로 공손하게!
Smart Tips
Ask yourself: Has the action happened yet? If it's a plan or a wish, use 'to'.
Don't use 'that'. Use the pattern: Want + Person + To + Verb.
Replace 'want to' with 'would like to' or 'wish to' for a more professional tone.
In conversation, we often drop the verb after 'to' if it's already understood.
발음
The Reduction of 'To'
In natural speech, 'to' is rarely pronounced as /tuː/. It is usually reduced to a schwa /tə/.
Wanna
When 'want' and 'to' are together, they often blend into one word in American English.
Stress on the main verb
I WANT to go. (Emphasis on desire)
Conveys strong feeling about the action.
암기하기
기억법
W.N.H.D.P: We Never Have Dirty Plates (Want, Need, Hope, Decide, Promise).
시각적 연상
Imagine a physical bridge labeled 'TO' connecting two islands. Island 1 is 'WANT' and Island 2 is 'EAT'. You cannot cross without the 'TO' bridge.
Rhyme
If you want to play or need to stay, don't forget the 'to' today!
Story
I wanted to go to the park. I needed to find my shoes. I promised to be back by five. I managed to arrive on time.
Word Web
챌린지
Write 5 things you plan to do this weekend using 'I plan to...', 'I want to...', and 'I need to...'.
문화 노트
Using 'I want to' can sometimes sound too direct or demanding. In shops or restaurants, 'I would like to' is preferred for politeness.
The use of 'wanna' is extremely common in pop music and movies, which can make learners think it is acceptable in all situations. It is not.
British speakers might use 'I fancy' + -ing instead of 'I want to' in very casual settings.
In Old English, the infinitive was a single word with a suffix (e.g., 'drincan' for 'to drink'). The word 'to' was originally a preposition indicating direction.
대화 시작하기
What do you want to do after you finish your English course?
What is something you've always wanted to learn to do?
If you could travel anywhere, where would you choose to go?
Have you ever refused to do something your boss asked?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
My sister hopes ___ a scholarship for university.
Find and fix the mistake:
We need buying milk from the store.
Choose the correct sentence:
Score: /3
연습 문제
8 exercisesI want ___ a new car.
She needs ___ finish her homework.
Find and fix the mistake:
We decided not going to the party.
I plan on visiting London. (plan)
He managed to opening the door.
A: Are you coming? B: No, I promised ___ my mom.
Group: Hope, Decide, Enjoy, Plan
1. I want... 2. I enjoy...
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesI want ___ that new video game everyone is talking about.
They decided moving to a bigger apartment.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella espera aprender un nuevo idioma.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the verbs with their appropriate infinitive completions:
Did you manage ___ your flight details?
She offered helping me with my homework.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'No puedo permitirme comprar ese coche.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
We need ___ our meeting until next week.
Score: /12
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
No, in English we say `I want you to go`. We don't use 'that' after 'want'.
Only if it's a very casual email to a close friend. In business or formal writing, always use `want to`.
They are very similar. `Need to` often implies a personal necessity, while `have to` often implies an outside rule or obligation.
It's often historical. However, 'to' usually refers to future or hypothetical actions, while '-ing' refers to real or completed activities.
Yes! This is called a 'split infinitive' (e.g., `to quickly run`). It's common and accepted in modern English.
No. Modal verbs like `can`, `could`, `should`, `must`, and `might` are followed by the base verb without 'to'.
Put 'not' before 'to'. For example: `I decided not to eat meat`.
No. `I'm going to` is for future plans that are already decided. `I want to` just expresses a desire.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Quiero comer
Spanish does not use a connector like 'to' between these verbs.
Je veux manger / J'ai besoin de manger
French uses different prepositions depending on the specific verb.
Ich will essen / Ich versuche zu essen
In German, the 'zu + verb' usually goes at the very end of the sentence.
Tabetai (want to eat)
Japanese uses suffixes rather than separate connecting words.
Urīdu an akula
The verb following 'an' is still conjugated for the person.
Wǒ xiǎng chī
There is no grammatical marker like 'to' in Chinese.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
동명사 또는 부정사와 함께 사용되는 동사: 의미 변화 없음
### Overview 영어 문법을 공부하다 보면 우리는 수많은 선택의 순간에 직면하게 됩니다. 특히 동사 뒤에 다른 동작을 연결할...
수동형 보도 구조 (그는 ~라고 합니다...)
### Overview 영어에서 `He is said to be...`와 같은 수동태 전달 구문(Passive Reporting Structures)은 정보, 의견, 또는 믿...
고급 수동태: 소문 및 믿음 보고 (그는 ~라고 합니다)
### Overview 영어를 C1 수준, 즉 상급 단계에서 자유자재로 구사하기 위해서는 단순히 문법적으로 맞는 문장을 만드는 것을 넘...
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09:00 The Deadliest Virus on Earth
🔥 EXPLAINED! When to use the Infinitive and Gerund After Verbs
English with Greg
GERUND (-ing) or INFINITIVE (to) - When & How to Use them! (+ Free PDF & Quiz)
English with Lucy
GERUND (ing) or INFINITIVE (to) – Everything You Need to Know!
JForrest English
Related Grammar Rules
분사 구문: 동작과 주어 일치시키기
Overview 혹시 인스타그램 팔로워들에게 아침 커피가 긴 잠을 자고 나서 `feeling refreshed`한 기분이라고 실수로 말한 적이 있...
수동형 동명사 및 부정사 (being done / to be done)
Overview 다른 사람에 의해 `being directed`(감독되는) 영화 속 엑스트라가 된 기분을 느껴본 적 있나요? 아니면 퇴근 전 중요...
Stop + 동명사 vs. 부정사: 그만두기 vs. 잠시 멈추기
Overview 혹시 이메일을 확인하려고 잠깐 쉬는 거였는데, 실수로 직장을 그만뒀다고 말해본 적 있어? 시트콤의 한 장면 같지만,...
Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns (Want to Go / Enjoy Going)
## Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns ### Verbs + to + infinitive - **want**: I want **to eat**. - **need**: She ne...
영어 분사 구문: 동시에 두 가지 일을 하는 것 (V-ing)
### Overview 영어 학습의 여정에서 C1 레벨, 즉 고급 단계에 도달했다는 것은 단순히 문법 규칙을 아는 것을 넘어, 언어의 '경...
