Intermediate grammar · Unit 55 · B1

Verb (+ object) + to ... (I want you to ...)

-ing and to ...

Some verbs (want, expect, ask, would like) take to ... with or without an object; others (tell, advise, remind, warn, persuade, allow) need verb + object + to .... make and let take the object and the infinitive without to.

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A want, expect, ask, help, would like (+ object) + to ...

These verbs can be followed by to ... directly, or by an object + to ...:

Verb + to ... Verb + object + to ...
want to go want somebody to go
expect to be expect somebody to be
ask to see ask somebody to see
would like / would prefer to stay would like / would prefer somebody to stay

We do not usually say "want that". Say Do you want me to drive? (not want that I drive).

help can be used with or without to.

  • We expected to win.
  • We expected Leeds to win.
  • Would you like to stay for tea?
  • Would you like me to stay for tea?
  • She doesn't want to talk about it.
  • She doesn't want anyone to talk about it.
  • Do you want me to drive?
  • Could you help me to carry the shopping in?
  • Could you help me carry the shopping in?

B tell, advise, remind, warn and others + object + to ...

These verbs need the structure verb + object + to ...:

tell, advise, remind, warn, invite, encourage, persuade, get, force, teach, allow, enable

The same verbs are often passive: I was told to ... / We are not allowed to ...

suggest does not take this structure. Say Kath suggested that I ring the council (not suggested me to ring). The council, for its part, suggested that she ring somebody else.

  • That restaurant is terrible. I wouldn't advise you to eat there.
  • Could you remind me to buy stamps tomorrow?
  • The electrician warned us not to touch the fuse box.
  • I couldn't fix the gate myself, so I got my neighbour to help me.
  • My grandad taught me to play chess.
  • They don't allow dogs to go on the beach in summer.
  • We were warned not to touch the fuse box.
  • Are we allowed to take photos in here?
  • Kath suggested that I ring the council.

C make somebody do, let somebody do

After make and let, use the object and the infinitive without to:

Correct Not
She made me apologise. made me to apologise
They let us leave early. let us to leave

make can mean force or cause. let means allow.

In the passive, however, the to returns: (be) made to do.

  • The teacher made him apologise to the whole class.
  • Long car journeys make me feel sick.
  • My parents wouldn't let me have a motorbike.
  • Let me pay for the coffees.
  • We were made to wait in the corridor for an hour.

Exercises

55.1 Complete the questions. Use do you want me to ... ? or would you like me to ... ? with these verbs, and any other words needed.

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  1. Do you want to walk to the station, or do you want me to drive you?

    Do you want to walk to the station, or do you want me to drive you?

  2. Have you got enough cash, or do you want ?

  3. Shall I keep the door shut, or would you ?

  4. Do you understand the instructions, or would ?

  5. Can you manage that box, or do ?

  6. Can I go now, or do ?

55.2 Complete the sentence for each situation.

  1. She said to him: "Ring me when you get home." He said: "OK." (She told him ...)

    She told him to ring her when he got home.

    She told him to ring her when he got home.

  2. They said to him: "Why don't you come to dinner on Friday?" He said: "That would be lovely." (They invited him ...)

  3. He said to her: "Don't forget to feed the cat." She said: "No, I won't." (He reminded her ...)

  4. She said to him: "Drive slowly. The roads are icy." He said: "Don't worry, I will." (She warned him ...)

  5. He said to her: "Could you help me with my homework?" She said: "Sure." (He asked her ...)

55.3 Complete the second sentence so that the meaning is similar to the first sentence. The first word or words are given.

  1. Mum said I could stay up late. (Mum allowed ...)

    Mum allowed me to stay up late.

    Mum allowed me to stay up late.

  2. I was surprised that the shop was closed. (I didn't expect ...)

  3. Don't stop her going to the party. (Let ...)

  4. Gary looks very serious when he wears a suit. (Gary's suit makes ...)

  5. I think you should meet my parents. (I want ...)

  6. At first I didn't want to join the choir, but Megan persuaded me. (Megan persuaded ...)

  7. The doctor said I shouldn't lift anything heavy. (The doctor advised ...)

  8. I was told that I shouldn't walk home alone. (I was warned ...)

  9. If you've got a bus pass, you are able to travel for free. (Having a bus pass enables ...)

55.4 Which is right?

  1. You aren't allowed ___ (smoke / to smoke) on the platform.

    to smoke

    You aren't allowed to smoke on the platform.

  2. Both flats look nice. Which one would you advise me ___ (take / to take)?

  3. The smell from the bakery made me ___ (feel / to feel) hungry.

  4. Her teachers always encouraged her ___ (read / to read) widely.

  5. Don't take my plate away yet. Let me ___ (eat / to eat) my pudding first.

  6. You can't make a teenager ___ (tidy / to tidy) their room.

  7. You can't force a teenager ___ (tidy / to tidy) their room.

  8. My brother won't let me ___ (use / to use) his computer. He says I'll break it.

  9. What made you ___ (choose / to choose) nursing as a career?

  10. Visitors to the farm are not allowed ___ (feed / to feed) the animals.

See also