Verb + object + infinitive/gerund: Verb patterns

Verb + object + to-infinitive

Download full-size image from Pinterest

After certain verbs

We can use the following verbs + object + to-infinitive: advise, allow, ask, beg, cause, convince, enable, encourage, expect, force, get (see get uses), help, intend, invite, mean, order, persuade, remind, take (time), teach, tell, warn.

• He advised me not to take the job. 
• I beg you to stay, please. 
• I don’t expect you to understand. 
• They persuaded him to tell the truth. 

Want, need, would like, would hate, would prefer

We can also use want, need, would like, would hate, would prefer + object + to-infinitive.

• I need you to do something for me.
• She wants me to go to the doctor with her.
• They would like me to be available at all times. 
• I would hate you to think I didn’t appreciate what you did for me. 
• I would prefer you to be quiet.

Verbs also used in other ways

Advise, persuade, remind, teach, tell, warn

We can use advise, persuade, remind, teach, tell, or warn with an object followed by a to-infinitive or a that-clause.

• Our mentor has advised us that we should start working on the project as soon as possible.
• The president persuaded them that the situation was critical. 
• I called him to remind him he had to take all the necessary equipment. 
• They taught me things aren’t always as they seem. 
• Danny told me that he is going to be appointed director of overseas operations. 
• He warned us that temperatures would drop dramatically the following week.

Advise, allow

We can use advise and allow  + object + to-infinitive. But if they are followed by the verb (without the object), this verb must take the -ing form.

• He advised me to go.
• He advised going.
• They don’t allow us to drink.
• They don’t allow drinking. 

Verb + for someone + to-infinitive

Download full-size image from Pinterest

Arrange, ask, plan, wait

We say arrange, ask, plan, or wait + for someone + to-infinitive.

• I will arrange for you to have a meeting with him next week. 
• I asked for somebody to repair my air conditioner.
• They are planning for him to turn his ideas into action. 
• We waited for them to arrive. 

Adjectives

We can use certain adjectives + for someone + to-infinitive.

• It’s essential for us to be ready when we are needed. 
• It would be nice for you to be there on the day of the rehearsal. 
• It’s difficult for Sarah to make ends meet now that she’s working part-time. 

Nouns

We can use certain nouns such as advantage, disadvantage, demand, disaster, idea, mistake, etc. + for someone + to-infinitive.

• It was a mistake for you to lend him the money.
• It would be a disaster for the company to reduce the number of staff.
• I think it’s a good idea for him to go to the interview.
• An extra room is an advantage for families to use it as a play area.

Too/enough

We can also use too or enough + for someone + to-infinitive.

• The book was too great for me to forget.
• It was warm enough for us to sit in the open.

Infinitive of purpose

We can also use the same structure after an infinitive of purpose.

• The purpose of this activity is for the students to practice their listening skills.
• The goal is for the dog to relax when wearing a leash.

Verb + object + infinitive without to

Download full-size image from Pinterest

Let, make, help

We can use the verbs let, make, and help followed by object + infinitive (without to).

• She drives me to work and never lets me pay for the petrol. 
• The teacher made us write a very long essay. 
• Can I help you fix the fence?  (But help somebody to do is also correct)

Be made to do

We say make + someone + infinitive (without to), but we say someone + be made + to-infinitive.

• They made the staff wear their uniform every day.
• The staff were made to wear their uniform every day.

Hear, listen, notice, see

We can use  hear, listen, notice, see + object + infinitive without to to talk about a short or complete action (see B1+ verb patterns):

• I saw them kiss (I saw the action from start to end. It was probably a short kiss.)
• I heard someone shout your name. (I heard the shouting from start to end.)

❗ But we use hear, listen, notice, see, watch + object + -ing to talk about an action in progress, an action that is longer and incomplete.

• I saw them kissing in the park. (The action was in progress. I didn’t see it finish.)

Verb + object + gerund

In this kind of construction, the object of the main verb is the subject of the verb in the gerund form. The following verbs can be used before object + gerund: dislike, hate, imagine, involve, keep, mind, prevent, not like, remember, resent, risk, stop.

• I hate him telling me what to do. 
• They kept me waiting for over an hour. 
• I don’t like them acting like this. 
• Be cool, or you can risk them losing interest.