We would like you to come with us to the party.
Verb + Object + To + Infinitive Verb
In Grammar 8-2, we learned to use verbs such as want and would like with to + infinitive verb:
I don't want to go. I want to stay.
We would like to take a photo.
Between want / would like and to + infinitive verb, we can use an object. Often, this object is a person.
Notice the difference in meaning:
I don't want to go. I want to stay.
I don't want you to go. I want you to stay.
We would like to take a photo.
We would like you to take a photo of us.
The following verbs can be used this way:
- allow
- ask
- expect
- need
- invite
- teach
- tell
- want
- would like
My father didn't allow me to drive his car.
They expect it to rain today.
I would like my next phone to have a nice camera.
Tell & Ask
Tell + object + to + infinitive verb has the meaning of order in English:
| "You must drink lots of water." |
My doctor told me to drink lots of water. |
| "You need to drink lots of water." | |
| "You have to drink lots of water." | |
| "Drink lots of water." | |
| "It's very important that you drink lots of water." |
The teacher told us to study the vocabulary for homework.
I told you to slow down!
Could you tell your dog to go away? I hate dogs.
Ask + object + to + infinitive verb has the meaning of request:
| "Can you open the window?" |
Jane asked me to open the window. |
| "Could you open the window?" | |
| "Will you open the window?" | |
| "Would you open the window?" | |
| "Please open the window." |
Both ask and tell can be used with not + to + infinitive verb:
I told you not to touch the stove.
Chris told me not to ask him about Angela.
A police officer asked me not to take photos.
Let & Make
Let and make are followed by an infinitive verb (no to):
What did you say to her? You made her cry!
Could you let me leave early today?
Our teacher made us write an essay last weekend. It was terrible.
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.