A catenative verb (also called a chain verb) takes a nonfinite clause as its complement.

"A catenative verb is a verb that controls a non-finite complement. 'Catenative' means 'chaining' and reflects the way that the verb can link recursively with other catenatives to form a chain, as in:We decided to try to rent a house near the sea.Here there is a chain of three verbs: decide, try and rent, with to try to rent a house near the sea functioning as the catenative complement of decide, and to rent a house near the seafunctioning as the catenative complement of try."(Angela Downing, English Grammar: A University Course. Routledge, 2006)

ETYMOLOGYlate 20th century: from Latin catena 'chain'

"The term 'catenative' is derived from the Latin word for 'chain,' for the construction is repeatable in a way that enables us to form chains of verbs in which all except the last have a non-finite complement:She seems to want to stop trying to avoid meeting him.Each of the italicized verbs here has a non-finite clause as complement."

"All our discontents about what we want appeared to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have."(Daniel Defoe)

Catenative verbs are verbs which can be followed directly by another verb — variously in the to-infinitive, bare 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.

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.

If you are thinking of adding to this list, it is most important to distinguish between a real catenative verb, such as decide I decided to work. and a normal verb followed by aninfinitive of purpose (French: pour) or a descriptive gerund. A good example of a non-catenative verb that could easily be confused is leave where I left to work is in reality I left (home), followed by a purpose, To go to, or do, some work. A descriptive gerund example: She left crying. is in reality a description meaning She left and at the same time she was crying.

afford

At last I can afford to buy a new car.

agree

He agreed to work on Saturday.

aim

We aim to please all our clients.

appear

I appear to have forgotten my glasses.

In the passive voice followed by a to-infinitive

Note These verbs are not found in catenative form with to-infinitive except in the passive voice, as they place the object between the two verbs when used actively.

allowed

You are allowed to wear jeans here.

forbid

You are forbidden to smoke in here.

permit

But you are permitted to smoke in here.

request

You are requested to leave immediately.

require

You are required to leave now.

Followed by a gerund

admit

He admitted taking the money.

advise

I advise leaving immediately.

allow

We do not allow smoking here.

appreciate

I would appreciate receiving more help with this.

avoid

Please avoid touching the goods on display.

can't help

Followed by a to-infinitive

Followed by a to-infinitive or a gerundNo difference in meaning

bear

Note This verb is most commonly found in the form can bear/can’t bear.

I can’t bear to hear him sing. I can’t bear hearing him sing.

begin

It began to rain. It began raining.

Difference in meaning

come

I came to realise that things were not as they seemed. (I underwent a slow realisation.) I asked her to come dancing (I invited her.)

go

They went to see a movie. (That is why they went.)* They have gone fishing. (Go is used with sports activities ending -ing.)

go on

After a long career Ken went on to be a manager. (He changed to a different more prestigious activity.) Some goalkeepers go on playing until they are 40. (They continue doing the same activity.)

go round/ go around

He went (a)round to see if she was OK. (He went to one place.)* He went (a)round saying terrible things about her. (He went to lots of different places [while] saying terrible things about her.)

get

Followed by a bare infinitive

dare

Note This is considered a semi-modal auxiliary verb. Particularly in negative, the modal form is preferred.

He daren’t climb the tree. He didn’t dare to climb the tree. He didn’t dare climb the tree.

help

Note The to is optional.

I helped to pack her bags. I helped pack her bags.

go / come

Note This is most common in American English. In other varieties, and is generally inserted between the two words.

Come and go are not used this way except in their bare forms, ie, not *He went/came sit with her. or *Heher.or *He had gone/come sit with her.

Go clean your room. Go and clean your room. I can’t go watch that movie. I can’t go and watch that movie. Come sit with me. Come and sit with me.

Followed by "and"

Expressions such as Go and clean your room and Try and do better are often analyzed as hendiadys, the figure of speech in which one "substitutes conjunction for subordination".