Verb Patterns

Verb + Object + Infinitive

The pattern

Many verbs are followed by an object and then a to-infinitive. The object is the person who actually performs the infinitive action — that is what makes this pattern different from a plain verb + infinitive.

verb + object + to + base verb

We encourage visitors to stay here.

The doctor told him to rest for a week.

Did they invite you to speak at the conference?

Compare: I want to go. — I go. | I want you to go. — you go. The object changes who does the action.

Which verbs take this pattern?

These are the most common ones. It helps to group them by what they do.

Function	Verbs	Example
influencing	advise, encourage, persuade, force, get	She persuaded me to apply.
permitting	allow, permit	They don't allow guests to park* here.*
requesting	ask, tell, invite, warn	He asked us to wait* outside.*
wanting	want, would like, expect, need	I need you to sign* this.*

Two exceptions: make and let take an object + bare infinitive (no to): They made him leave. She let me borrow it. But in the passive, make recovers its to: He was made to leave.

Two negatives, two meanings

You can make the sentence negative in two places, and the meaning is not the same. Put not before the infinitive to negate the action; make the main verb negative to negate the influence or the expectation.

verb + object + not to + base verb · negative verb + object + to + base verb

We ask them not to contact us by phone. → the request is: don't phone

We don't expect everyone to like all our ideas. → we have no such expectation

Watch the difference: I didn't tell her to come (I said nothing) is not the same as I told her not to come (I said: don't come).

Reporting what people said

This pattern is the natural way to report instructions, advice, requests, warnings and invitations without repeating the speaker's exact words. Choose the reporting verb that captures the speaker's purpose, then add the object and the infinitive.

What was said	Reported
"Check in two hours early."	The agent advised me to check in* two hours early.*
"Don't walk on the grass!"	The gardener told Elizabeth not to walk* on the grass.*
"Would you like to come with me?"	Jane invited Nelly to go* with her.*
"You mustn't stay longer than 90 days."	The official warned Edwin not to stay* longer.*

⚠ Common mistakes:
✗ The gardener told to Elizabeth... → ✓ told Elizabeth... (no to before the person)
✗ They allowed me stay. → ✓ allowed me to stay.
✗ Her father wants that she studies medicine. → ✓ wants her to study medicine.
✗ She asked him don't call her. → ✓ asked him not to call her.
✗ They made him to leave. → ✓ made him leave. (bare infinitive after make)
✗ My teacher suggested me to take the course. → ✓ suggested that I take the course. (suggest never uses this pattern)

Match the Sentence Halves

Click what somebody said on the left, then click the reported version that matches it.

Matched 0 / 5

Fill in the Gaps

Complete each sentence with the object and/or the infinitive. The verb is given in brackets.

Find the Mistake

One sentence, four underlined parts. Click the lettered part that contains the error — it is not always in the grammar of this lesson, so read the whole sentence.

Put the Words in Order

Click the words to build the correct sentence. Click a placed word to remove it.

Answer the Questions

Write your own answers using verb + object + infinitive. Then click "Show Model Answer" to compare.