Page 291 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford
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 284
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Let, make, see, hear, feel, watch, notice, have, and sometimes know and help are followed by object + infinitive without to (see 281).
Why won't you let me explain?
I heard her open the door and go out.
Some verbs cannot be followed by object + infinitive; for example suggest. I suggested that she should go home. (NOT Jmggestetl heF l6 g6 heme.)
Many of the verbs listed above can also be followed by other structures such as an -ingform or a that-clause. For complete information, see a good dictionary.
For passive structures with these verbs, see 418.
For verbs that are followed by for + object+ infinitive (e.g. 1arranged for Iter to go early), see 291.7 For object + to be + complement after verbs of thinking and feeling (e.g. I considered him to be a ll
excellent choice), see 607.
For structures with take (e.g. The ferry took two hours to unwad), see 576.
infinitives (6): after adjectives reactions and feelings: pleased to see you
Infinitives are often used after adjectives describing reactions and feelings.
I'm pleased to see you.
John was surprised to get Ann's letter.
She's anxious to go home.
We're happy to be here.
I was shocked to see how ill he was.
Most people are afraid to hear the truth about themselves.
Not all adjectives of this kind are followed by infinitives. Some are followed by preposition + -ing form (see 297), or by that-clauses (see 19). Some adjectives (e.g. afraid, sure) can be followed by either an infinitive or an -ing form, often with a difference of meaning: for details, see 299.
For structures with for (e.g. She's anxiolls for rile children to go home), see 291-293. other adjectives: certain to win
Besides adjectives referring to reactions and feelings, many other adjectives can be followed by infinitives. Examples: right, wrong, stupid, certain (see 299.15), welcome, careful, due, fit, able (see 3), likely (see 327), lucky.
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3
For structures with preparatory ir (e.g. It is important to get enougil sleep), see 446. superlatives etc: the oldest athlete to win ...
Superlatives can be followed by an infinitive structure. The meaning is similar to an identifying relative clause (see 495).
We were right to start early.
I was stupid to believe him.
She's certain to win.
You're welcome to stay as long as you like.
He's the oltkst athlete ever to win an Olympic gold medaL
(= ••. who has ever won ...)
~
infinitives (6): after adjectives 284
Be careful not to wake the children. It's very likely to rain.
You were lucky not to be killed.
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