English Grammar Drills - Mark Lester 2009
7. Object + infinitive
11 Multiple Verb Complements
Part 2 Verb Phrases
In this construction, the object is followed by an infinitive (together with all the infinitive’s complements and modifiers, if any). For example:
Many verbs take this complement type. Fortunately, the verbs tend to fall into four distinct groups based on meaning. Here are the four groups with some examples of each:
Verbs of permission: allow, enable, help, inspire, permit, require
The company authorized the project team to go ahead.
Verbs of cognition: assume, expect, feel, imagine, know, understand
John considered his job to be vital to the company’s success.
Verbs of causation: cause, drive, force, get, intend, lead, mean, prompt
I got a friend to drive me to the station.
Verbs of naming: appoint, choose, elect, name, vote
They chose Alice to lead the new task force.
Exercise 11.10
Underline and label the object (Obj) and infinitive phrase (Inf) in each sentence (include the infinitive’s complement). Above the italicized verb classify the verb as permission, cognition, causation, or naming.
1. We expected them to be ready by now.
2. The government permitted the project to go ahead under certain restrictions.
3. Roberta wanted the kids to go to summer school this year.
4. The coupon entitles you to buy a second ticket at half price.
5. Remind me to get some gas on the way home.
6. I believed myself to be entirely in the wrong.
7. They used the loan to buy some much-needed equipment.
8. The news prompted us to reconsider what we were planning.
9. The VP asked Anne to head up the new division in Europe.
10. Please allow us to help you with that.
11. His parents encouraged her to apply to Duke.
12. I knew them to be better players than they had first appeared.
13. He inspired us to try even harder.
14. The CEO picked an outsider to head the review committee.
15. The results forced us to reevaluate all of our plans.