Verb + Object + Infinitive
B1 · IntermediateGerunds & InfinitivesI want you to call me. She asked him to close the door. This pattern puts a person between the verb and the to-infinitive.
What you'll learn
- The pattern is: verb + object (a person) + to-infinitive
- Common verbs in this pattern: want, ask, tell, advise, invite, encourage, expect, persuade, warn
- English never uses a 'that' clause with these verbs the way many other languages do
- The negative form places 'not' directly before the to-infinitive: want you not to worry
Verb + person + to-infinitive
Many English verbs describe one person wanting, asking, or telling ANOTHER person to do something. The pattern is always the same: verb + object (the person) + to-infinitive.
Verbs that use this pattern
want, ask, tell, advise, invite, encourage, expect, persuade, warn, remind, allow, and would like all follow this same verb + object + to-infinitive structure.
The negative form
To make this pattern negative, put 'not' directly before the to-infinitive — never after the person and never as a separate negative verb.
No 'that' clause needed
Unlike many languages, English doesn't need a linking word like 'that' before the person here — the object simply comes straight after the verb, followed by the to-infinitive.
Real English
Watch out
English doesn't use a 'that' clause here — put the person directly after the verb, then the to-infinitive.
After the object (the person), use the to-infinitive, not a separate finite verb form.
The negative 'not' goes directly before the to-infinitive, not as its own separate negative sentence.
Real life — Giving instructions before a trip
"Can you remind me to pack my charger?"
"Sure. I also want you to double-check the tickets before we leave."
"Will do. The airline advised us to arrive two hours early."
"Good thing you told me — I almost forgot."
Practice
Exercise 1 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 2 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 3 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 4 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence — negative form.
Exercise 5 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 6 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 7 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 8 · Choose the correct sentence
Choose the correct sentence.
Exercise 9 · Complete the sentence
Complete: 'My parents encouraged me ___ (study) abroad.'
Exercise 10 · Complete the sentence
Complete: 'The doctor told him ___ (rest) for a week.'
Exercise 11 · Put the words in the correct order
Quick challenge
Five quick questions to check what stuck.
Question 1 / 5
Score: 0/0
Choose the correct sentence.
You learned
- The pattern verb + object + to-infinitive puts a person between the verb and to + verb.
- Common verbs: want, ask, tell, advise, invite, encourage, expect, persuade, warn.
- English never uses a 'that' clause with these verbs.
- The negative form places 'not' directly before the to-infinitive.
Related grammar lessons
Bare Infinitive
Learn when the infinitive drops 'to' — after modal verbs, after let and make, and in a few fixed expressions.
Verb Patterns
Learn the three groups of English verbs — gerund only, infinitive only, and verbs that allow both — and how to tell them apart.
Infinitives
Learn how to + verb expresses purpose, follows certain adjectives, and completes a large group of common verbs.
Gerunds
Learn how the -ing form works as a noun — as a subject, as the object of a verb, and after prepositions.