Verb + Object + Infinitive: Influencing Your Team

• In ward leadership, how we direct our team is reflected in our choice of verbs. We use specific verb patterns to describe how we influence, instruct, or support our clinical colleagues. Some verbs are followed by an object and a bare infinitive, while others require an object and a to-infinitive.
• Pattern Type
• Verb
• Object
• Infinitive form
• Bare Infinitive (no 'to')
• let / make
• the junior doctor / our team
• perform the procedure / work late
• Bare or To-Infinitive
• help
• the medical intern
• manage / to manage the caseload
• To-Infinitive
• allow / enable / expect / encourage / persuade
• the senior resident / the staff
• to lead the round / to speak freely
• Remember
• Rule 1: 'Let' (meaning permission) and 'make' (meaning obligation or force) always take an object followed by a bare infinitive in the active voice.
• Rule 2: 'Help' can be followed by an object and either a bare infinitive or a to-infinitive, with the bare infinitive being more common in modern clinical communication.
• Rule 3: Verbs of expectation, permission, and persuasion such as 'allow', 'expect', 'encourage', 'persuade', and 'enable' require an object followed by a to-infinitive.
• Rule 4: In passive structures, 'make' requires a to-infinitive (e.g., 'The intern was made to rewrite the discharge summary').
• Examples
• Dr. Ramirez makes the junior residents double-check every pediatric dosage.
• We let the senior registrar lead the ward round today to build his confidence.
• The clinical lead encourages the ward nurses to speak freely during team huddles.
• This new system enables the medical team to manage their clinical commitments more effectively.
• Common mistakes
• The clinical lead made the intern to rewrite the entire discharge summary.
• The clinical lead made the intern rewrite the entire discharge summary.
• We must allow them manage the ward with autonomy.
• We must allow them to manage the ward with autonomy.

Complete the sentences

• Dr. Carter always tries to (allow) ____ his residents take the lead on routine procedures.
• The intensive care training program (enable) ____ Sarah to handle complex trauma cases confidently.
• We cannot (force) ____ the junior staff work extra shifts without proper compensation.
• Our new consultant has (convince) ____ the hospital board to fund additional training.
• The clinical supervisor (anticipate) ____ everyone to attend the morning team huddle.
• The nurse manager's supportive approach (assist) ____ the new interns adapt to Seattle Grace.

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