verb + object + to + base verbUse this pattern when the action belongs to the object, not to the first subject.
Verb + Object + Infinitive
B1Use verb + object + to + base verb to talk about another person’s action: want her to come, ask him to wait.
What you'll learn
- Build sentences with verb + object + to + base verb.
- Put the object before to + verb.
- Keep the second verb in the base form after to.
- Recognize common verbs that take this pattern.
Structure
verb + object + to + be + complementBe stays in the base form after to: expect him to be ready.
Build a sentence
First verb
Object
Second verb
wanthertocome
I want her to come.
Use object + to + base verb after want.
When to use
Another person's action
One person wants, asks, expects, or needs another person to act. Lisa expects Tom to be ready.
Requests and instructions
Use ask or tell when one person wants another person to do something. The manager told us to sit down.
Expectations
Use expect when you think another person will do something or be in a state. We expected Maria to call.
Markers
wantneedasktellexpectwould likeinvite
Common mistakes
Wrong
I want to Anna to stay.
Correct
I want Anna to stay.
Anna is the object, so it goes before to + verb.
Wrong
We asked Maria wait outside.
Correct
We asked Maria to wait outside.
This pattern needs to before the second verb.
Wrong
She told to close the door me.
Correct
She told me to close the door.
Put the object right after the first verb, before to + verb.
Wrong
I expect him to coming soon.
Correct
I expect him to come soon.
After to, use the base verb, not -ing.
Wrong
She wants Leo to comes early.
Correct
She wants Leo to come early.
After to, the second verb stays in the base form.
Common misconceptions
❝ If there are two verbs, both actions belong to the first subject. ❞
In this pattern, the infinitive action belongs to the object: Anna wants Ben to help means Ben will help, not Anna.
❝ After to, the next verb can be in any form. ❞
After to in this pattern, use the base verb only: to wait, to go, to be.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_VERB_OBJECT_TOw5Use verb + object + to + base verb after common verbs like want and ask
After some verbs, put a person or thing before the infinitive: want Anna to come, ask Tom to wait. The pattern is verb + object + to + base verb.
PICK_THE_OBJECT_BEFORE_TOw4Place the object before to + verb
The person or thing affected comes before to + verb: expect him to call, tell the team to stop. Do not move the object after the infinitive.
KEEP_SECOND_VERB_BASEw4Keep the second verb in the base form after to
After to, use the base verb: to be, to go, to wait. Do not add tense endings or -ing after to in this pattern.
COMMON_VERBS_PLUS_OBJECT_TOw3Recognize common verbs that use this pattern
Common verbs here include want, need, ask, tell, expect, would like, and invite. These verbs often introduce another person's action.
USE_FOR_OTHER_PEOPLES_ACTIONSw3Use this pattern to talk about another person’s action
Use it when one subject wants, asks, expects, or needs someone else to do something: Anna wants Ben to help. The action in the infinitive belongs to the object, not to the first subject.