Exercises

53.1 Complete the sentences for each situation.

1. Shall we get married? Yes, let's.

They decided _to get married._

2. Please help me. OK.

She agreed ---

3. Can I carry your bag for you? No, thanks. I can manage.

He offered ---

4. Let's meet at 8 o'clock. OK, fine.

They arranged ---

5. What's your name? I'm not going to tell you.

She refused ---

53.2 Complete each sentence with a suitable verb.

1. Don't forget to post the letter I gave you.

2. There was a lot of traffic but we managed --- to the airport in time.

3. Jill has decided not --- a car.

4. We've got a new computer in our office. I haven't learnt --- it yet.

5. I wonder where Sue is. She promised not late.

6. We were all too afraid to speak. Nobody dared --- anything.

53.3 Put the verb into the correct form, to... or ~ing. (See Unit 52 for verb + ~ing.)

1. When I'm tired, I enjoy.watching television. It's relaxing. (watch)

2. It was a nice day, so we decided --- for a walk. (go)

3. It's a nice day. Does anyone fancy --- for a walk? (go)

4. I'm not in a hurry. I don't mind --- (wait)

5. They don't have much money. They can't afford --- out very often. (go)

6. I wish that dog would stop --- It's driving me mad. (bark)

7. Our neighbour threatened --- the police if we didn't stop the noise. (call)

8. We were hungry, so I suggested --- dinner early. (have)

9. Hurry up! I don't want to risk --- the train. (miss)

10. I'm still looking for a job but I hope --- something soon. (find)

53.4 Make a new sentence using the verb in brackets.

1. He has lost weight. (seem)

_He seems to have lost weight._

2. Tom is worried about something. (appear)

Tom appears ---

3. You know a lot of people. (seem)

You ---

4. My English is getting better. (seem)

5. That car has broken down. (appear)

6. David forgets things. (tend)

7. They have solved the problem. (claim)

53.5 Complete each sentence using what/how/whether + one of these verbs:

do go ride say use

1. Do you know how to get John's house?

2. Can you show me --- this washing machine?

3. Would you know --- if there was a fire in the building?

4. You'll never forget --- a bicycle once you have learned.

5. I was really astonished. I didn't know ---

6. I've been invited to the party but I don't know --- or not.

UNIT 54. Verb + (object) + to... (I want (you) to do etc.)

A. want ask help would like would love

expect beg mean (= intend) would prefer would hate

These verbs are followed by to... (infinitive). The structure can be:

verb + to...

* We expected to be late.

* Would you like to go now?

* He doesn't want to know.

or verb + object + to...

* We expected Tom to be late.

* Would you like me to go now?

* He doesn't want anybody to know.

Be careful with want. Do not say 'want that...':

* Do you want me to come with you? (not 'Do you want that I come')

After help you can use the infinitive with or without to. So you can say:

* Can you help me to move this table? or Can you help me move this table?

B. tell remind force enable teach order warn invite persuade get (= persuade, arrange for)

These verbs have the structure verb + object + to...:

* Can you remind me to phone Ann tomorrow?

* Who taught you to drive?

* I didn't move the piano by myself. I got somebody to help me.

* Jim said the switch was dangerous and warned me not to touch it.

In the next example, the verb is passive (was warned):

* I was warned not to touch the switch.

Note that you cannot use suggest with the structure verb + object + to...

* Jane suggested that I should buy a car. (not 'Jane suggested me to buy')

For suggest, see Units 34 and 52.

C. advise recommend encourage allow permit forbid

There are two possible structures after these verbs. Compare:

verb + ~ing (without an object)

* I wouldn't recommend staying in that hotel.

* She doesn't allow smoking in the house.

verb + object + to...

* I wouldn't recommend anybody to stay in that hotel.

* She doesn't allow us to smoke in the house.

Compare these examples with (be) allowed (passive):

* Smoking isn't allowed in the house.

* We aren't allowed to smoke in the house.

D. Make and let

These verbs have the structure verb + object + infinitive (without to):

* The customs officer made Sally open her case. (not 'to open')

* Hot weather makes me feel tired. (= causes me to feel tired)

* Her parents wouldn't let her go out alone. (= wouldn't allow her to go out)

* Let me carry your bag for you.

We say 'make somebody do...' (not 'to do'), but the passive is '(be) made to do...' (infinitive with to):

* Sally was made to open her case (by the customs officer).