Verb + Object + Infinitive

• When we want other designers to take action, we use specific verbs followed by an object and an infinitive. Some verbs take a bare infinitive, while others require the full infinitive with 'to'.
• Pattern
• Verbs
• Example
• Verb + object + bare infinitive
• let, make, help
• Mark let Sarah lead the design sprint in Austin.
• Verb + object + to-infinitive
• allow, expect, encourage, persuade, enable
• Jessica encouraged the team to push decisions down.
• Remember
• Use 'let', 'make', and 'help' with an object and a bare infinitive (without 'to').
• Use 'allow', 'expect', 'encourage', 'persuade', and 'enable' with an object and a full infinitive (with 'to').
• Notice that 'help' can also take a to-infinitive, but the bare infinitive is very common in design studios.
• The object always comes directly between the main verb and the infinitive.
• Examples
• Our creative director let us redesign the entire mobile app in Boston.
• Good managers enable their product designers to work with complete autonomy.
• Kevin persuaded the stakeholders in Chicago to approve the new wireframes.
• Common mistakes
• She allowed the junior designer lead the project in New York.
• She allowed the junior designer to lead the project in New York.
• The studio head made Ethan to change the homepage layout.
• The studio head made Ethan change the homepage layout.

Complete the sentences

• The design director in Seattle let (choose) ____ the final color palette.
• Brian encouraged his UX team in Denver (explore) ____ bolder layout options.
• A strong design system enables engineers (build) ____ consistent interfaces faster.
• The client made Rachel (revise) ____ the checkout flow again.
• Laura persuaded the product managers in Boston (trust) ____ the user research data.
• Our lead architect helped us (simplify) ____ the complex navigation tree.

Sources: photo by TLK GentooExpressions on Pexels