The Complex Object
Verb + object + to-infinitive/bare infinitive constructions (advise, allow, ask, expect, want, let, make).
The Complex Object is a structure in which a verb is followed by a noun or pronoun (the object) and then an infinitive, so that the object of the main verb is also the 'subject' of the action expressed by the infinitive. Many verbs of request, permission and expectation take this pattern with the to-infinitive: advise, allow, ask, expect, order, remind, tell, want, permit, promise and invite someone to do something (I want you to stay; The teacher told them to be quiet; She reminded him to lock the door). Two verbs, let and make, are different: they take the bare infinitive without 'to' (Let me go; The film made her cry), while a passive construction with 'make' restores 'to' (She was made to wait). The Complex Object differs from a full subordinate clause because it has no separate conjunction such as 'that' and no separate finite verb for the second subject; instead, the object noun/pronoun and the infinitive together act as a single unit after the main verb. For example: compare 'I expect that he will arrive on time' (a full clause) with the more natural 'I expect him to arrive on time' (a Complex Object).
Key terms
| Verb | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| advise | She advised him to rest. | gave advice |
| allow / permit | They allowed us to leave early. | gave permission |
| ask | He asked her to close the door. | made a request |
| expect | I expect you to be on time. | anticipate |
| remind | Remind me to call her. | help not to forget |
| want | I want you to stay. | desire |
| Verb | Active form | Passive form |
|---|---|---|
| let | let him go (no to) | not usually used in the passive |
| make | make her wait (no to) | she was made to wait (to appears) |
- 1Start: We want to express: 'I expect that he will arrive on time.'
- 2Apply the rule: 'Expect' can take object + to-infinitive instead of a that-clause, giving a shorter, more natural sentence.
- 3Answer: I expect him to arrive on time.
- 1Start: We need to combine: 'The coach' + 'made' + 'the players' + 'run extra laps'.
- 2Apply the rule: 'Make' in the active voice takes the bare infinitive, without 'to'.
- 3Answer: The coach made the players run extra laps.
Do not add 'to' after let or make in the active voice: 'let him go' and 'make her wait' are correct, not 'let him to go' or 'make her to wait'.
Do not use an object pronoun's subject form: 'I want him to stay', not 'I want he to stay'.
When 'make' is passive, 'to' reappears: 'He was made to apologise' (not 'He was made apologise').
A Complex Object is often more natural than a full that-clause: 'I want you to help' is more common than 'I want that you help', which is not correct English.
Rules
- 1Verb + object + to-infinitive: advise, allow, ask, expect, order, remind, tell, want, permit, promise, invite + someone + to do something.
- 2Let and make take the bare infinitive (no 'to'): let him go, make her wait; but the passive of 'make' restores 'to': she was made to wait.
- 3The object of the main verb (a noun or object pronoun: him, her, them) becomes the 'doer' of the infinitive action, not the subject of a new clause.
- 4The Complex Object has no conjunction like 'that' and no separate finite verb; it replaces a longer clause (I expect him to come = I expect that he will come).
- 5Negate the infinitive, not the main verb, to negate only the second action: I told him not to worry (compare: I didn't tell him to worry, which negates the telling).
Practice
15 easy · 15 medium · 15 hard
10 random questions per test