Make / Let / Help
'Make' and 'let' are followed by an object and a bare infinitive in the active voice. 'Help' allows either a bare or a to-infinitive. Note that passive 'make' takes the to-infinitive.
Level B2
Verbs & Verb Patterns
Summary
- 'Make' and 'let' are followed by an object and a bare infinitive in the active voice. 'Help' allows either a bare or a to-infinitive. Note that passive 'make' takes the to-infinitive.
Structure
make/let + object + base verb ; help + object + (to) + base verb
Examples
- The film made me cry.
- They let us stay an extra night.
- Can you help me carry this?
- He was made to apologise in front of everyone.
Common mistakes
- • Adding 'to' after active 'make/let': 'made me to cry' should be 'made me cry'.
- • Forgetting that passive 'make' needs 'to': 'was made apologise' should be 'was made to apologise'.
More verbs & verb patterns
Used To (Past Habits and States)
A2
Use 'used to' to talk about habits or states that were true in the past but are not true now.
Gerunds vs Infinitives
B2
Some verbs are followed by a gerund (-ing form) and others by an infinitive (to + verb). The choice depends on the first verb, and a few verbs change meaning depending on which form follows.
Phrasal Verbs (Introduction)
B1
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a particle (like up, off, on, out) that often creates a new meaning. Some can be separated by their object, and some cannot.
Have Got
A2
'Have got' is a common British way to talk about possession, relationships, and characteristics. It means the same as 'have' but forms questions and negatives without 'do'.
Imperatives
A1
Imperatives give orders, instructions, invitations, and warnings. They use the base form of the verb with no subject; for negatives, put 'don't' first.
Like, Love, Hate + Verb-ing
A2
After verbs of liking and disliking such as like, love, enjoy, and hate, we usually use the -ing form of the next verb to talk about activities in general.