Lesson

Verb (+object) + to... (I want to..., etc.)

Object + infinitive

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

What is Verb (+object) + to...?

This structure is used when a verb is followed by an object (a noun or pronoun) and then a to-infinitive. It expresses that the speaker wants, asks, tells, or expects someone or something to perform an action.

  • Pattern: Subject + verb + object + to + base verb (I want you to attend).
  • Common verbs: want, ask, tell, advise, expect, persuade, allow, require.
  • Used to report requests, desires, orders, advice, expectations, and permissions.

Table

Common verbs followed by object + to-infinitive

Verb Meaning Example
want desire I want the team to finish the report by Friday.
ask request She asked John to prepare the slides.
tell give instructions or orders The manager told us to attend the meeting.
advise recommend They advised the employee to update his profile.
expect anticipate that someone will do something We expect the vendor to deliver on time.
persuade convince someone They persuaded the client to sign the contract.
allow permit The company allowed the intern to work remotely.
require demand or need The policy requires employees to complete training.

Tip

Where to place the object and 'to'?

The most important thing is the correct order: verb → object → to-infinitive.

  • Correct order: Subject + verb + object + to + base verb. (We asked the vendor to confirm.)
  • The object can be a noun or pronoun: I want Mary to lead. / I want her to lead.
  • Negative and question forms keep the same internal order: I didn't want him to come. / Did you ask them to participate?

Remember: after verbs like want/ask/tell, put the object before 'to' + verb.

Example

Examples in context

I want the team to finish the report by Friday.

She asked John to prepare the slides for the presentation.

The manager told us to arrive early for the client meeting.

They persuaded the client to sign the contract after the demo.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Learners often confuse similar structures or misplace elements. Watch for these universal errors.

  • Using a gerund instead of a to-infinitive (incorrect: I want you doing this.).
  • Placing 'to' before the object (incorrect: I want to you to attend.).
  • Forgetting the object when the verb requires it (incorrect: She asked to leave.).
  • Mixing verbs that need different patterns (some verbs take gerunds, others take to-infinitives).

When in doubt, check whether the verb typically needs an object + to-infinitive.

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Check the order: verb, object, then to-infinitive.

Quiz

Complete: I want _____.

Hint: Think of object + 'to' + base verb

Quiz

Choose the sentence that uses verb + object + to-infinitive correctly:

Hint: Check that the object comes before 'to' + verb.

Key Points

Vocabulary

want

verb CEFR A2 //wɒnt//

to desire or wish for something

I want the team to complete the audit next week.

Vocabulary

ask

verb CEFR A2 //æsk//

to request someone to do something

She asked the supplier to send the invoice.

Vocabulary

tell

verb CEFR A2 //tɛl//

to give information or instructions to someone

The manager told the team to prioritize the client request.

Vocabulary

persuade

verb CEFR B1 //pərˈsweɪd//

to convince someone to do something

They persuaded the board to approve the new budget.

Vocabulary

advise

verb CEFR B1 //ədˈvaɪz//

to recommend a course of action to someone

I advised him to review the contract before signing.

Vocabulary

require

verb CEFR B1 //rɪˈkwaɪər//

to demand or need something as necessary

The policy requires employees to complete annual training.

GrammarPoint

object + to-infinitive

grammar_point CEFR B1 //ˈɒbdʒɛkt tuː ɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv//

a grammatical pattern where a verb is followed by an object and a to-infinitive (e.g., want someone to do something)

We expect the team to submit the proposal tomorrow.