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Unit 55 · -ing and to …

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

Study

A

We say:

verb + to …
want
expect to go
ask to be
help to work
would like etc.
would prefer

and

verb + object + to …
want
expect somebody to go
ask something to be
help to work
would like etc.
would prefer
›

We expected to be late.

›

Would you like to go now?

›

He doesn’t want to know.

›

We expected Dan to be late.

›

Would you like me to go now?

›

He doesn’t want anybody to know.

We do not usually say ‘want that’:

›

Do you want me to come with you? (not want that I come)

You can use help with or without to. You can say:

›

Can you help me to move this table? or Can you help me move this table?

B

These verbs have the structure verb + object + to … :

verb + object + to …
tell
advise
remind
warn
invite somebody to do
encourage to be
persuade to work
get etc.
force
teach
allow
enable
›

It’s not a nice hotel. I wouldn’t advise you to stay there.

›

Can you remind me to call Sam tomorrow?

›

Joe said the switch was dangerous and warned me not to touch it.

›

I didn’t move the piano by myself. I got somebody to help me.

›

Who taught you to drive?

›

They don’t allow people to park in front of the building.

In these examples, the verb is passive (I was warned / we are allowed etc.):

›

I was warned not to touch the switch.

›

Are we allowed to park here?

We do not use suggest with to … :

›

Jane suggested that I ask you for advice. (not Jane suggested me to ask)

C

We say ‘make somebody do something’, ‘let somebody do something’ (without to):

›

I made him promise that he wouldn’t tell anybody what happened.

(not made him to promise)

›

Hot weather makes me feel tired. (= causes me to feel tired)

›

Her parents wouldn’t let her go out alone. (= wouldn’t allow her to go out)

›

Let me carry your bag for you.

We say ‘make somebody do’, but in the passive we say ‘(be) made to do’ (with to):

›

We were made to wait for two hours. (= They made us wait …)

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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55.1

Complete the questions. Use do you want me to … ? or would you like me to … ? with these verbs (and any other necessary words):

comelendrepeatshowshutwait
  1. 1
    Do you want to go alone, or ?example
  2. 2
    Do you have enough money, or you some?
  3. 3
    Shall I leave the window open, or it?
  4. 4
    Do you know how to use the printer, or you?
  5. 5
    Did you hear what I said, or it?
  6. 6
    Can I go now, or ?
55.2

Complete the sentences for these situations.

  1. 1
    She told him to meet her at the station.example
  2. 2
    They invited him .
  3. 3
    He reminded her .
  4. 4
    She warned to be careful.
  5. 5
    He asked to give him a hand.
55.3

Complete the second sentence so that the meaning is similar to the first sentence.

  1. 1
    My father said I could use his car.
    My father allowed his car.example
  2. 2
    I was surprised that it rained.
    I didn’t expect to rain.
  3. 3
    Don’t stop him doing what he wants.
    Let what he wants.
  4. 4
    Tom looks older when he wears glasses.
    Tom’s glasses make older.
  5. 5
    I think you should know the truth.
    I want the truth.
  6. 6
    At first I didn’t want to apply for the job, but Sarah persuaded me.
    Sarah persuaded for the job.
  7. 7
    My lawyer said I shouldn’t say anything to the police.
    My lawyer advised anything to the police.
  8. 8
    I was told that I shouldn’t believe everything he says.
    I was warned everything he says.
  9. 9
    If you’ve got a car, you are able to get around more easily.
    Having a car enables around more easily.
55.4

Which is right?

  1. 1
    You aren’t allowed take / to take pictures here. (to take is correct)
  2. 2
    I’m in a difficult position. What do you advise me do / to do?
  3. 3
    The film was very sad. It made me cry / to cry.
  4. 4
    Lisa’s parents always encouraged her study / to study hard at school.
  5. 5
    Please don’t interrupt me. Let me finish / to finish.
  6. 6
    You can’t make people do / to do things they don’t want to do.
  7. 7
    You can’t force people do / to do things they don’t want to do.
  8. 8
    Sarah won’t let me drive / to drive her car. She doesn’t trust me.
  9. 9
    Why did you change your decision? What made you change / to change your mind?
  10. 10
    If you enter a country with a tourist visa, you are not allowed work / to work there.