Verb + Object + Infinitive

• In business communication, we often need to describe how managers influence their team members. Different verbs take either an infinitive with 'to' or a bare infinitive after the object.
• Pattern
• Verbs
• Example
• Verb + Object + Bare Infinitive
• let, make, help
• Mark let Sarah handle the Seattle presentation.
• Verb + Object + To-Infinitive
• allow, expect, encourage, persuade, enable
• We encourage our staff to make independent decisions.
• Remember
• Use 'let', 'make', and 'help' with an object followed by a bare infinitive (without 'to').
• Note that 'help' can also take a to-infinitive with no change in meaning.
• Use 'allow', 'expect', 'encourage', 'persuade', and 'enable' with an object followed by a full to-infinitive.
• Never use a bare infinitive after 'allow' or 'encourage'.
• Examples
• The director made him rewrite the financial report.
• Our new software enables the team to track project milestones easily.
• She persuaded her manager to grant her full decision rights.
• Common mistakes
• She allowed him sign off on the budget.
• She allowed him to sign off on the budget.
• Kevin made me to complete the audit.
• Kevin made me complete the audit.

Complete the sentences

• Our supervisor will not let anyone (micromanager) ____ the marketing team during the launch.
• The board of directors expects the new CEO (to empower) ____ the regional managers in Chicago.
• Did the vice president help you (to prepare) ____ the quarterly revenue forecast?
• We encourage all our junior analysts (to take) ____ full responsibility for client accounts.
• The regional director made Nathan (to redo) ____ the entire sales strategy for Boston.
• This new cloud platform enables our team (to collaborate) ____ securely from London and New York.

Sources: photo by Julia Filirovska on Pexels