Verb + Object + Infinitive: Delegating Decisions

• When delegating account assignments and decision rights in sales leadership, we use specific verbs followed by an object and either a bare infinitive or a to-infinitive. Getting this pattern right ensures your team understands their authority.
• Pattern
• Verbs
• Example
• Verb + Object + Bare Infinitive
• let, make, help
• Ryan let Kevin negotiate the Chicago contract.
• Verb + Object + To-Infinitive
• allow, expect, encourage, persuade, enable
• Management expects reps to own their pricing authority.
• Remember
• Use 'let', 'make', and 'help' with an object followed by a bare infinitive (without 'to').
• Use 'allow', 'expect', encourage', 'persuade', and 'enable' with an object followed by a full to-infinitive.
• The object can be a noun (e.g., Sarah) or a pronoun (e.g., him, them).
• Examples
• The director made Emily update the Boston account assignment before leaving.
• We encourage our account executives to use clear guardrails.
• This new software enables sales reps in Seattle to sign off on discounts faster.
• Common mistakes
• The manager allowed Kevin negotiate the Austin deal.
• The manager allowed Kevin to negotiate the Austin deal.
• She let him to make the final pricing call.
• She let him make the final pricing call.

Complete the sentences

• The regional director in Chicago let Brittany (sign) ____ off on discounts for the new client.
• Our sales leadership expects every key account manager (own) ____ their territory carve-out completely.
• The vice president persuaded Ethan (accept) ____ the new deal approval guidelines.
• Ryan made Kevin (revise) ____ the pricing authority document before the meeting.
• Good guardrails enable sales reps in London (move) ____ faster through complex negotiations.
• The supportive team leader helped Jessica (finalise) ____ the Boston account assignment.

Sources: photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels