Verb + Object Patterns: Tell Someone to Do, Let Someone Do, and Make Someone Do

English verb patterns become more demanding when a second person is inserted between two verbs. Compare I want to leave with I want you to leave, and I left with They made me leave. The controlling verb determines the form that follows.

Object + to-infinitive

Many verbs of request, expectation, permission, encouragement, and instruction take object + to + verb.

• I want you to check the figures.
• She told us to wait.
• They encouraged him to apply.
• We expect the project to finish on time.

Make and let + bare infinitive

After active make and let, use the base form without to.

• The joke made everyone laugh.
• Let me explain.
• Her manager made her rewrite the report.

Help allows variation

After help, both help someone do and help someone to do are standard. The version without to is especially common.

• This guide will help you understand the pattern.
• The tutor helped me to prepare for the interview.

Passive make changes the pattern

In the passive, make takes to: She was made to rewrite the report. This contrast is worth learning as a fixed pair.

• They made him apologise.
• He was made to apologise.

Meaning and control

These patterns often show who controls, requests, causes, permits, or experiences the action. Recognising that semantic relationship makes the grammar easier to remember.

• allow someone to do
• force someone to do
• let someone do
• make someone do

Common mistakes to avoid

• They made me to wait → They made me wait.
• She suggested me to apply → She suggested that I apply / She suggested applying.

Quick practice

1. Complete: “My tutor encouraged me ___ (speak) more.”
2. Complete: “The delay made us ___ (change) the plan.”
3. Change to passive: “They made him apologise.”

Suggested answers: 1. to speak; 2. change; 3. He was made to apologise.

Key takeaway

Learn these constructions as verb frames. The important unit is not just encourage or make, but encourage someone to do and make someone do.