B2 – Upper Intermediate
A catenative construction is when one verb is followed by another verb (in to-infinitive or -ing form).
Catenative comes from “chain”—verbs are linked together.
A complex catenative construction involves:
- multiple verbs chained together, and/or
- objects + verb complements within the chain
Why This Matters
Complex catenative constructions help you:
- express nuance and precision
- sound more natural in academic/professional English
- combine multiple ideas into one sentence
Basic Pattern
Before going complex, take a look at the basic pattern:
- I want to eat.
- She enjoys reading.
Now, let’s expand:
Verb + Object + To-Infinitive
Structure: Subject + Verb + Object + to + Verb
Examples:
- I want him to finish the work.
- She told me to wait outside.
- They allowed us to enter early.
Insight: The object becomes the “subject” of the second verb.
Verb + -ing / To-Infinitive (Meaning Changes)
Some verbs change meaning depending on the form:
- I stopped smoking. (quit the habit)
- I stopped to smoke. (paused in order to smoke)
- She remembered locking the door. (memory)
- She remembered to lock the door. (responsibility)
These create subtle but important semantic differences.
Multi-Verb Chains (True Complex Catenation)
Structure: Subject + Verb1 + Verb2 + Verb3…
Examples:
- He seems to want to start working soon.
- I plan to try to learn to code this year.
- She appears to have been trying to fix the issue.
Note:
- Each verb adds aspect, intention, or modality
- These chains are common in formal and academic writing
Perfect & Progressive Forms in Chains
You can embed tense/aspect inside the chain:
- He seems to have finished the task.
- They appear to be working late.
- She claims to have been waiting for hours.
This allows very precise time relationships.
Causative + Catenative Structures
Structure: have / get + object + past participle / to-infinitive
Examples:
- I had him fix the problem.
- She got them to agree.
- We had the system updated.
These often express control, persuasion, or arrangement.
Adjective + Catenative Complement
Not only verbs—adjectives can start chains:
- I am happy to help.
- She is likely to succeed.
- They are eager to begin working.
Common Advanced Verbs in Catenation
Frequently used in formal English:
- seem, appear, tend, manage, fail, attempt, claim, deserve
Examples:
- He tends to avoid answering difficult questions.
- She managed to complete the project on time.
Common Errors
Incorrect: He suggested me to go.
Correct: He suggested going. / He suggested that I go.
Incorrect: I made him to do it.
Correct: I made him do it. (bare infinitive)