1.2.1 “Let”, “make”, “would rather/ sooner” and “had better”

1. We use the imperative form Let’s (= Let us) + bare infinitive for making suggestions:

Let’s take a taxi! Let’s take a taxi, shall we? Do let’s take a taxi.

The negative is: Let’s not (take a taxi). Or: Don’t let’s (take a taxi).

2. Let as a full verb (= “allow”) is always followed by a noun or pronoun + bare infinitive:

I won’t let you / him, etc. go. Don’t let the children annoy you. They won’t let us speak.

3. Make (= compel) is followed by a bare infinitive in the active: She made them work hard.

BUT: It is followed by a to-infinitive in the passive: They were made to work hard.

4. We used the bare infinitive after would rather (not), would sooner (not), had better (not):

I’d rather be told the truth. You’d better not go near the edge.

Supply suitable infinitive forms for the verbs given in brackets.

1. Let’s ………………..to the cinema. (go)

2. Let’s ………………..out long. (not stay)

3. Let’s ……………...., shall we? (go out)

4. Don’t let’s ………………home yet. (go)

5. Let XYZ ………………..a triangle. (be)

6. Let me ……………..that letter for you. (post)

7. They didn’t let her …………..jeans. (wear)

8. He made me ……………the mess. (clear up)

9. That T-shirt makes you ………………younger. (look)

10. I was made …………………floors. (scrub)

11. I’d rather ………...….for a walk in the rain than ……………nothing at all. (go, do)

12. I’d rather ………………..anything if you don’t mind. (not have)

13. I don’t really want to see that play. I’d sooner ………………….at home. (stay)

14. You’d better ……………………what you think . (not say)

15. It’s late. I think we’d better …………………..(go)

1.2.2 The infinitive with or without “to” after “help” and “know”

1. We may use a bare infinitive or a to-infinitive after a few verbs like help and know.

The use of a to-infinitive is more formal:

Mother helped me (to) do my homework.

We do not usually omit to after not:

How can I help my children not to worry about their exams?

2. We sometimes use help without a noun or pronoun object:

Everyone in the village helped (to) build the new Youth Centre.

3. We have a noun or pronoun object after know:

I’ve never known her (to) be late before. I’ve never known her not (to) be late.

We use to in the passive: He was known to have / to have had a quick temper as a boy.

Practice

Ex. 1 Join or rewrite the sentences below using the words given.

1. I found this book. The librarian helped me.

The librarian ……………………………………………………………………………

2. I have to fill in this job application form. Can you help me?

Can you …………………………………………………………………………………

3. You mustn’t worry so much. I can help you.

I can help ………………………………………………………………………………..

4. People know him to be a very generous man.

He ……………………………………………………………………………………….

5. He’s a ruthless businessman. He is known for that.

He’s known ……………………………………………………………………………..

6. She’s never on time.

I’ve never known ………………………………………………………………………..

Context

Ex. 2 Put in the correct forms of the verbs.

ONE CUBE OR TWO?

When we were at school as children we were (make/wear) ……………………………

indoor shoes inside the school building. The teachers would never (let us / wear)…………….

our outdoor shoes at all and they (make us / change) ……………………in the changing rooms from the moment we entered the building. I’d never known teachers (be) ……………. more strict about any other school rule. The trouble was that my indoor shoes really (make me / suffer) ………………..because they were so tight. (‘Let / expand) …………………… our shoes!’ a fellow sufferer suggested. He had had a brilliant idea. We put plastic bags inside our shoes and poured water into the bags. We sealed the bags carefully and put our shoes into the freezer. Of course the ice (make the shoes / expand) ……………………. and they were a pleasure to wear. This clever idea (help me / get) …………………. through my schooldays with less discomfort and I have never forgotten it!

Ex 3. Complete the sentences. Sometimes you need only one word, sometimes two.

Model: I need some money. I'd better ….go… to the bank.

1. John is expecting you to phone him. You ………better do it now.

2. Shall I leave the window open?' 'No, you'd better ......................... it.'

3. We'd better leave as soon as possible, ……….......... we?

4. We’d ………do something about the problem.

5. I …………look through the rule again.

Ex. 4. Read the situations and write sentences with “had better”. Use the words in brackets.

Model: You're going out for a walk with Tom. If might rain. You say to Tom: (an umbrella) ...We'd better take. an umbrella.

1. Jack has just cut himself. It's quite a bad cut. You say to him:

(a plaster) ..........................................................................................................................................

2 You and Ann plan to go to a restaurant this evening. It's a very popular restaurant. You say (reserve)

………………………………………………………………………………

3 Jill doesn't look very well - not well enough to go to work. You say to her:

(work) .......................................................................................................................................

4 You received your phone bill four weeks ago but you haven't paid it yet. If you don't pay very soon, you could be in trouble. You say to yourself: (pay)………………………………..

5 You want to go out but you're expecting an important phone call. You say to your friend: (go out) I………………………………………………………………………………………

6 You and Fiona are going to the theatre. You've missed the bus and you don't want to be late. (take) ……………………………………………………………………………………..

Ex. 5. Insert 'to’ where necessary before the infinitives in brackets.

1. He made me (do) it all over again.

2. She can (sing) quite well.

3. He will be able (swim) very soon.

4. I used (live) in a caravan.

5. You ought (go) today. It may (rain) tomorrow.

6. You needn't (say) anything. Just nod your head and he will (understand).

7. I want (see) the house where our president was born.

8. He made her (repeat) the message.

9. May I (use) your phone?

10. You needn't (ask) for permission; you can (use) it whenever you like.

11. If you want (get) there before dark you should (start) at once.

12. I couldn't (remember) his address.

13. You'll be able (do) it yourself when you are older.

14. Would you like (go) now or shall we (wait) till the end?

15. They won't let us (leave) the Customs shed till our luggage has been examined.

16. How dare you (open) my letters!

17. He didn't dare (argue) with his boss.

18. I used (smoke) forty cigarettes a day.

19. Will you help me (move) the bookcase?

20. He wouldn't let my baby (play) with his gold watch.

21. They refused (accept) the bribe.

22. He is expected (arrive) in a few days.

23. Please let me (know) your decision as soon as possible.

24. He made us (wait) for hours.

25. Could you (tell) me the time, please?

26. We must (send) him a telegram.

27. I let him (go) early as he wanted (meet) his wife.

28. Where would you like (have) lunch?

29. You can (leave) your dog with us if you don't (want) (take) him with you.

30. I'd like him (go) to a university but I can't (make) him (go).

31. We could (go) to a concert, unless you'd prefer (visit) a museum.

32. You seem (know) this area very well. -Yes, I used (live) here.

33. The kidnappers told the parents (not inform) the police, and the parents didn't dare (disobey).

34. Need I (come)? I'd much rather (stay) at home.

35. You can (take) a horse to water but you can't (make) him (drink). (proverb)

36. I'm sorry (disappoint) you but I can't (let) you (have) any more money.

Ex. 6. Insert “to” where necessary before the infinitives in brackets.

1. It is easy (be) wise after the event.

2. Do you (wish) (make) a complaint?

3. We don't (want) anybody (know) that we are here.

4. If you can't (remember) his number you'd better (look) it up.

5. I want her (learn) Esperanto; I think everybody ought (know) it.

6. He is said (be) the best surgeon in the country.

7. Visitors are asked (not feed) the animals.

8. Could I (see) Mr Pitt, please?-I'm afraid Mr Pitt isn't in. Would you like (speak) to his secretary?

9. It's better (travel) hopefully than (arrive), (proverb)

10. He should (know) how (use) the film projector, but if he doesn't you had better (show) him.

11. He was made (sign) a paper admitting his guilt.

12. I heard the door (open) and saw a shadow (move) across the floor.

13. He tried (make) me (believe) that he was my stepbrother.

14. As we seem (have missed) the train we may as well (go) back to the house.

15. I felt the house (shake) with the explosion.

16. He told me (try) (come) early.

17. Before he let us (go) he made us (promise) (not tell) anyone what we had seen.

18. Would you (like) (come) in my car - No, thanks, I'd rather (walk).

19. I advised him (ask) the bus conductor (tell) him where (get) off.

20. It is better (put) your money in a bank than (keep) it under your bed in an old stocking.

21. He doesn't even bother (read) letters, let alone (answer) them.

22. The bank robbers made the cashier (show) them how (open) the safe.

23. If you knew he was wrong, why didn't you (say) something?-I didn't like (say) anything because he always gets angry if you contradict him.

24. It's better (be) sure than sorry.

25. What do you (want) me (tell) him? - Tell him that any time he cares (call) I shall be delighted (discuss) the matter with him.

26. Did you remember (give) him the money? - No, I didn't, I still have it in my pocket; but I'll (see) him tonight and I promise (not forget) this time.

27. I saw the driver (open) his window and (throw) a box into the bushes.

28. That is far too heavy for one person (carry); let me (help) you.

29. I was afraid (pick) up the revolver as I don't know how (handle) firearms.

30. I saw the plane (crash) into the hill and (burst) into flames.

31. There is nothing (do) but (wait) till somebody comes (let) us out.

32. He heard a cock (crow) in a neighbouring village.

33. You may as well (tell) us the truth. It will (be) easy (check) your story.

34. The American said he had seen nine presidents (come) and (go). He must (be) a very old man.

35. It is up to you (learn) the laws of your own country.

36. Would you rather (be) more stupid than you look or (look) more stupid than you are?

Ex. 7. Translate the following into English using the Infinitive with or without the particle to.

1. Я чувствовал, что его рассказ правдив.

2. Я почувствовал, что кто-то коснулся моего плеча.

3. Вы выглядите усталым. Вам бы лучше пойти домой. – Нет, я бы предпочел закончить работу.

4. Почему бы не поговорить с деканом?

5. Ему оставалось только признать свою вину.

6. Я не могу не согласиться с вами.

7. Я предпочел бы не говорить им об этом.

8. Его заставили это сделать.

9. Видели, как он вышел из дома.

10. Я видел, как она вышла из комнаты.

11. Он слышал, как она поет.

12. Я разрешил ему пойти туда.

13. Он умеет говорить по-немецки.

14. Он сказал, что он предпочел бы остаться дома.

15. Он заставил меня прочесть эту книгу.

16. У меня ужасно болит голова. – Почему ты не примешь лекарство?

17. Барбара очень сильно поправилась. Ей бы надо сесть на диету.

18. Давай не будем никому рассказывать о том, что произошло.

19. Что заставляет тебя так себя вести?

20. Когда она услышала это, она не могла не рассмеяться.

21. Она надеялась заработать немного денег.

22. Они предлагают получить всю необходимую информацию о компании до начала переговоров.

23. Ему посоветовали взять кредит в банке.

24. Они решили выпустить дополнительное количество акций.

25. Разве вы не заметили, что он сел в автобус?

26. Вы можете пойти с нами, если хотите.

27. Я видел, как кто-то подошел к окну и постучал.

28. Тебе бы лучше сейчас не встречаться со старшим братом.

29. Признала ли девушка свою вину? – Да, но я думаю, что ее заставили признаться.

30. Я не верю, что неквалифицированные рабочие могут стать опытными инженерами за один день.