Lesson

I want you to... I told you to...

Want/tell + object + to

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

I want you to... / I told you to... — Introduction

These structures use an object (you, him, her, them) + the to‑infinitive to express desires, requests, instructions or reported commands. "I want you to..." expresses a request or desire (present/future). "I told you to..." reports a past instruction, order, or advice.

  • "I want you to + base verb" = request, desire, or instruction now or in the future.
  • "I told you to + base verb" = reporting that someone gave a command or instruction in the past.
  • Use the to‑infinitive after an object: want + someone + to do something; tell + someone + to do something.

Table

Structures with 'want' and 'tell'

Structure Use Example
I want you to + base verb Express a present/future desire, request or instruction I want you to finish the report by Friday.
I told you to + base verb Report a past instruction, order or advice I told you to submit the invoice yesterday.
I want you not to + base verb / I want you to not + base verb Negative request (prefer: not before infinitive) I want you not to share the draft externally.
I told her not to + base verb Report of a past negative command He told her not to reply to that email.

Tip

Key rule: object + to‑infinitive

After verbs like want and tell (when they have a direct object), use the object followed by the to‑infinitive.

  • Correct: I want you to prepare the agenda.
  • Correct: She told him to wait in the lobby.
  • Incorrect: I want you preparing the agenda. (wrong verb form)
  • Incorrect: He told to wait. (missing object)

Place 'not' before the infinitive for negatives: 'told her not to...'; avoid dropping the object.

Example

Examples in context

I want you to review the budget before Monday.

I told you to send the invoice yesterday.

I want you to be at the meeting by 9 AM.

He told her not to reply to that email.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Learners often make predictable errors with these patterns. Watch for the following:

  • Using a gerund instead of to‑infinitive: 'I want you doing' → incorrect.
  • Omitting the object: 'I told to finish' → missing the person who should act.
  • Wrong word order for negatives: prefer 'not to' before the verb ('told her not to...').
  • Using the bare infinitive without to after want/tell with an object: 'I want you call' → incorrect.
  • Confusing tense: 'I told you to call' reports a past instruction; choose tense carefully.

Check that you have an object (someone) + to + base verb; place 'not' before the infinitive in negatives.

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Remember: want + someone + to + base verb

Quiz

Complete: I told you _____ the contract before signing it.

Hint: Think about how to report a past instruction with tell/told

Quiz

Which sentence reports a past instruction?

Hint: Look for the past form that reports something that already happened

Key Points

Vocabulary

want

verb CEFR A1 //wɒnt//

to desire or wish for something; to request someone to do something

I want you to attend the meeting.

Vocabulary

tell

verb CEFR A2 //tɛl//

to give information or an instruction to someone

She told him to prepare the presentation.

Expression

ask (someone) to

verb CEFR A2 //æsk//

to request someone to do something using object + to‑infinitive

They asked me to update the figures.

Vocabulary

instruct

verb CEFR B2 //ɪnˈstrʌkt//

to give detailed orders or directions; similar to tell but more formal

The manager instructed the team to follow the new procedure.

GrammarPoint

not

adverb CEFR A1 //nɒt//

used to make a verb negative; place before the infinitive in 'not to' constructions

I told her not to forward the confidential email.

GrammarPoint

to‑infinitive

grammar_point CEFR B1 //tuː ɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv//

the infinitive form of a verb with 'to' (to + base verb); used after object with want/tell

We expect you to complete the task by Friday.