Use of two different forms of a verb with the same meaning?

Question

How do you explain why the verb 'allow' cannot be used in its basic form, that is as the bare infinitive form, in the following sentence?

We think allow him to have access to the internet is a bad idea.

Further can the above sentence be corrected using the infinitive form of the verb 'allow' as well as its present participle form as below?

We think allowing him to have access to the internet is a bad idea.

We think to allow him to have access to the internet is a bad idea.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

BulbulTadaHow do you explain why the verb 'allow' cannot be used in its basic form, that is as the bare infinitive form, in the following sentence?We think allow him to have access to the internet is a bad idea.

Because 'think' does not accept that form as a complement, that is all.

BulbulTadaWe think allowing him to have access to the internet is a bad idea.

OK.

BulbulTadaWe think to allow him to have access to the internet is a bad idea.

Marginally acceptable.

Cool Breeze · Answer

A bare/plain infinitive doesn't work as the subject of a clause. A complete infinitive (to allow) or a gerund (allowing) can be used. The gerund is the more common of the two.

CB

(cross-posted)

AlpheccaStars · Answer

There are different meanings when "think" is followed by a to-infinitive versus the participle. The to-infinitive is rarely used, and always in the past (I cannot think of an example in present tense). The bare infinitive is ungrammatical.

As he left the house, he thought to check that the door was locked.  (He had the idea that he must check the door to make sure it was locked, and he did so.)

The v-ing form (present participle) is much more common.

We think allowing him to have access to the internet is a bad idea.

X We think allow him to have access to the internet is a bad idea.

( X-post)

Use of two different forms of a verb with the same meaning?

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