B2Complex verb patterns

Verb + object + infinitive or gerund

Choose object + to-infinitive, object + bare infinitive or possessive/object + -ing patterns according to the controlling verb and meaning.

Overview

What this grammar does

Choose object + to-infinitive, object + bare infinitive or possessive/object + -ing patterns according to the controlling verb and meaning.

Form and rules

How it works

Many verbs take object + to-infinitive: advise someone to wait, allow someone to enter, persuade someone to try.

Make/let take object + bare infinitive in active clauses: They made us wait; Let me explain.

Perception verbs can take object + bare infinitive for a complete event or object + -ing for activity in progress.

Some verbs allow object + -ing, often when the object is the understood subject of the -ing action: I don't mind you/your using my desk.

Passive changes can alter the infinitive pattern: We were made to wait, adding to after passive made.

A closer look

Meaning and use

Some verbs allow object + -ing, often when the object is the understood subject of the -ing action: I don't mind you/your using my desk.

Passive changes can alter the infinitive pattern: We were made to wait, adding to after passive made.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

They persuaded me to apply.

The guard wouldn't let us enter.

The joke made everyone laugh.

I saw him leave the building.

I don't mind you using my charger.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

She encouraged me apply for the position.

She encouraged me to apply for the position.

Encourage + object is followed by to-infinitive.

They made us to wait outside for an hour.

They made us wait outside for an hour.

Active make + object takes a bare infinitive.

Ready to practise?

The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.

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