Verb + Object + Infinitive or Gerund
Master complex verb patterns involving an object before the next verb.
- check_circleI can use verbs followed by an object and a to-infinitive.
- check_circleI can use verbs followed by an object and a bare infinitive.
- check_circleI can use verbs followed by an object and a gerund (or present participle).
Discover
Meet today's English in a real situation — no rules yet. Read it once and try to guess the pattern in the words in bold. Underlined words open a short definition.
Sarah and Mark are talking about their new boss.
Sarah: So, what do you think of Mr. Davis so far?
Mark: Well, he’s definitely different from our last manager. Yesterday, he asked me to rewrite the whole quarterly report.
Sarah: Really? Why?
Mark: He said it wasn’t detailed enough. He wants us to be more precise with the data.
Sarah: That sounds exhausting. Did he let you leave early, at least?
Mark: Are you kidding? He made me stay an extra hour to finish it. I was so angry, but I managed to hide it. I even caught him smiling when I handed it in!
Sarah: That’s intense. He shouldn’t expect everyone to work overtime constantly.
Mark: I know. And I actually heard him telling someone on the phone that he plans to push us even harder.
Sarah: Well, don’t allow him to exploit you. You need to set boundaries!
Learn
Now the rules behind what you just saw — explained simply, with examples. Underlined words open a short definition — hover on desktop, tap on a phone.
When we string two verbs together in English, the second verb’s form depends entirely on the first verb. But what happens when there is an object between the two verbs? For example: “I want you to go.”
Here are the three main patterns for Verb + Object + Verb.
1. Verb + Object + To-infinitive
Many common verbs require the next verb to be a to-infinitive when there is an object in between. These often express advice, orders, permission, or desires.
Common verbs: allow, ask, convince, encourage, expect, force, order, persuade, remind, tell, want, would like.
- The doctor advised me to rest for a few days.
- They didn’t allow us to enter the building.
- I want you to finish this by tomorrow.
Notice how the negative is formed by putting not before the to-infinitive: “He told me not to worry.”
2. Verb + Object + Bare Infinitive (Without to)
A small but very important group of verbs takes a bare infinitive (infinitive without to).
Common verbs: make, let, have (causative), and verbs of perception like see, hear, feel, watch, notice.
- The sad movie made me cry. (NOT made me to cry)
- Her parents don’t let her stay out late.
- We watched them play basketball.
Common mistake: Spanish speakers often use the to-infinitive or a that-clause after make and let.
She made me to clean my room. → She made me clean my room.
Let me that I help you. → Let me help you.
3. Verb + Object + Gerund (-ing)
Some verbs take an object followed by a gerund (-ing form). This is very common with verbs of perception when we want to emphasize that an action is in progress or ongoing, as well as with a few specific verbs like catch, find, leave.
Common verbs: see, hear, feel, watch, observe, notice, catch, find, leave.
- I heard him singing in the shower. (Action in progress)
- The police caught the thief stealing a car.
- Don’t leave me waiting in the rain!
Difference between bare infinitive and gerund with perception verbs:
- I saw him cross the road. (Bare infinitive = I saw the whole action from start to finish.)
- I saw him crossing the road. (Gerund = I saw him in the middle of doing it.)
- Verb + Object + to-infinitive: advise, allow, convince, tell, want (She told me to go.)
- Verb + Object + bare infinitive: make, let, have, see, hear (Make him stop.)
- Verb + Object + -ing: see, hear, catch, find, leave (I caught him sleeping.)
- Negative: Put not before the second verb (I told you not to touch it.)
Practice
Try it yourself. You'll see right away whether you got it right, plus a short explanation of why.
Use It
Now make the language yours in a real task. Use the prompt below — the editor keeps a simple word count, and nothing is saved or graded.
Before you finish — be honest. Can you do these now?