they decided to found their own university < is it correct pls explain


I'm confused with this  >> decided to  


decided to found >>  if to is to+inf  >> it has to change like this   [to+find] not [to+found] right ?


 decided to found >> decided +to >> if to is an prep. so it has to change like this [decided to finding]


     or    if you say in this case found is not participle of find  so it means that in this sentence has 2 real verb  . In grammatical it cannot has 2 real verb in the sentence without connector right ?

asked Sep 23 '12 at 07:19 ve New member

"To" is an infinitive and not a preposition.

sanjaySep 23 '12 at 13:02

thx you

veSep 23 '12 at 16:04

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2 answers


I can see why you are confused. Sanjay is right. The infinitive "to" is always followed by a present tense verb.


He finds the treasure. He found the treasure. He decided to find the treasure.


But "decided to found the University" is correct in that it too uses the present tense verb. Why?


Because there are two different verbs that share "found".  The verb "found" -- meaning to set up or establish -- and the verb "find" -- meaning to locate or discover.


I hope this helps.

link answered Sep 23 '12 at 14:10 Jeff Pribyl Grammarly Fellow

I'm thais and I just want to use english without mistake .your ans is helpful : ))thx a lot

veSep 23 '12 at 16:02

I have read "decided to set up or decided to establish" in many books. I got confused when I read "found" in the sentence. I knew it is a present tense verb, but the sentence seemed to me a little awkward.

sanjaySep 23 '12 at 16:42

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Yes, you are right.  "To" is always followed by a present tense verb.


They decided to find.....

link answered Sep 23 '12 at 11:45 sanjay Expert

Sanjay. Reread the context. Ve is using the verb "found" not the verb "find" -- so decided to found is correct.

Jeff PribylSep 23 '12 at 14:11

only 1 word to say thank you very much

veSep 23 '12 at 16:00

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