Page 637 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford
P. 637

 We do not nonnally put very much between a verb and its object. I very much like mountains. (NOT .. like fiery rnrteh rn6ftPlf'ains.)
Very much can also be a detenniner before a noun. She didn't have very much money.
Have you got very much work to do?
Very much is not often used as a determiner in affirmative clauses (see 357.5). There was a lot ofsnow on the road. (NOT There f:tI(l3 fIety mtreh mew.)
For very ... indeed. see 273.
612 wait
Wait can be followed by an infinitive.
I'll wait to hear from you before I do anything.
Before a direct object, wait for is used.
Please wait for me here. (NOT .'llettse wtlit me here.)
That-clauses are not used, but an object + infinitive structure is possible. We'll have to waitfor the photos to be ready. (NOT ••• wtlit that the "heres
(;lre retttly.)
The time preposition for is often dropped after wait. I waited (for) a very long time for her answer.
The transitive verb await is fonnal, and is used mostly with abstract objects. We're still awaiting instructions.
For the difference between waitfor and expect. see 196.
613 want
1 infinitive with to
After want, we nonnally use an infinitive with to.
I don't want to come back here ever again. (NOT ltitm't wtlttt e13,ne baele .. .)
That-clauses are not nonnally used after want, but an object + infinitive structure (see 283) is possible.
Do you want me to make you some coffee? (NOT DtJ )'6ft wtlltt (that) : milke Y8l:t S6'l1e e8fJeen
I don't want that woman to come here.
2 structure with object complement
Want can be followed by an object together with a complement (adjective, adverb or past participle) to express ideas such as change or result.
They wanted him dead. She doesn't want him back.
I want heroutofthere now. We want thejobfinished by Tuesday.
To be or as is used before a noun complement.
I wantyou to be myfriend. (OR ••• as myfriend. NOT : wtlPltY'Bft myfrietttL)
3 want meaning 'need'
In infonnal British English, we can say that a thing 'wants' (= needs) something, particularly with reference to actions.
That car wants a clean. Your hair wants a good brush.
In this case, want can be followed by an -ing fonn (like need - see 366).
This coat wants cleaning. (= ... needs to be cleaned)
want 613
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