When we express a desire or wish for someone to do something, we can use the phrase “I want you to…”:
I want + you to V (inf.)
Example:
clean: I want you to clean your room this afternoon.
be: I want you to be quiet.
go: I want you to go outside and play.
leave: I don’t want you to leave.
“want” has the same meaning as “would like.” However, “would like” is more polite:
I want you to be quiet. // I would like you to be quiet.
We can have other subjects besides “I,” and we can also have someone else be the object as well:
(Subject) want(s) + (somebody) to V (inf.)
prepare: The teacher wants us to prepare for the test next week.
pick up: John wants his brother to pick him up after school.
issue: We want the store to issue us a refund.
cut: He wants Mary to cut his hair.
teach: They want me to teach them how to bake bread.
come: I want him to come here.
help: Do you want me to help you with the dishes?
Other verbs that can be used in this pattern instead of “want”:
V + (somebody) to V (inf.)
advise: The professor advised Tom to take three semesters of physics.
ask: We are asking them to switch their appointment to Thursday.
expect: I expect my students to study diligently and work hard.
persuade: Mrs. Jones persuaded her sick husband to stay home from work.
teach: My brother taught me to whistle.
In particular, “(Subject) told (somebody) to V(inf)” can be used for commands in indirect speech:
Mother told the children to put their toys away.
I told you to walk the dog when you got home.
Jack told Jill to fetch a pail of water.
Father told us not to touch the snake.
Note: For verbs used with “make” and “let,” we use the dictionary form of the verb, but we do NOT use the infinitive marker “to”:
make / let (somebody) V(inf)…
The bully made Tom give him his lunch money.
(not “made Tom to give him his lunch money”)
Seeing a cute baby always makes me smile.
(not “makes me to smile”)
Mother let Jane bake chocolate chip cookies all by herself.
(not “let Jane to bake…”)
Let me eat my breakfast first before we go for a walk.
(not “Let me to eat my breakfast…”)
Our teacher never lets us chew gum in class.
(not “never lets us to chew…”)
If you want to do something with someone else, use “let’s…”:
Let us / Let’s + V(inf)….
I’m hungry. Let’s eat.
(not “Let’s to eat”)
Let’s watch a movie tonight.
(not “Let’s to watch…”)
Exercise. Use the prompts to write sentences beginning with “I want you…” / “I don’t want you…” / Do you want me…?”
Example:
Close the door. ==> I want you to close the door.
1. Mop the floor.
2. Don’t come home late.
3. Return these library books.
4. Finish your homework.
5. Don’t tell Aunt Martha about the party – it’ll be a surprise.
6. Should I call the doctor?
7. Stop by the grocery store on your way home.
8. Buy some milk.
9. Should I pick up some salad, too?
10. Don’t get any cat food – we have enough.
Exercise. Use the following dialogues to complete the sentences.
Example:
Tom: My library book is overdue.
You: You should return it right away.
==> Tom had an overdue library book. I advised him to return it right away.
1. Jack: My brother is late. Bus driver, can you please wait for him?
2. Sarah: I’m hungry. Can you lend me five dollars for lunch?
3. Mrs. Smith: The rabbits are invading my garden.
Mr. Jones: Try using some dried blood to keep them away.
4. Becky: Jane, how did you learn to make such a delicious pot roast?
Jane: My mother taught me to cook.
5. You: Mr. Brown hasn’t come to work yet, but he should arrive at any minute.
6. Teacher: Class, be quiet.
Exercise. Use the verbs in the following list to complete the sentences. Some will need the infinitive marker to, others will not need it.
Example:
Do you want me ______ you some supper? (cook) ==> Do you want me to cook you some supper?
be
bring
come
fix
get
give
go
invest
jump
knit
know
laugh
leave
lose
make
meet
open
put
quit
rake
redo
stop
trade
use
vacuum
1. The policeman told the robber ______ his hands in the air.
2. My sister doesn’t let anyone ______ her mp3 player.
3. The accountant advised Father ______ some money in a retirement plan.
4. I don’t want Mark ______ that I dented his car.
5. Sam told the mechanic ______ his flat tire.
6. The students wanted the teacher ______ them an easy test.
7. Can I persuade you ______ seats with me?
8. Let’s ______ for a walk.
9. That movie always makes me ______.
10. The doctor advised Uncle Tim ______ weight.
11. I told you ______ the carpet in the hall.
12. Mother is expecting us ______ straight home from school.
13. Let me help you ______ the leaves.
14. Father made Jack ______ the test he failed.
15. Did you ask me ______ by the library after work? I don’t remember.
16. I just want Steve ______ asking me to go out with him.
17. Grandfather told Uncle Bob ______ him at the airport at 3:30.
18. Do you want me ______ the window to get some fresh air?
19. The Smiths expect all their children ______ the honor roll in school.
20. Let’s ______ Peter a new trumpet for his birthday.
21. I’ll teach you ______ rude to your elders!
22. The officer persuaded the distraught man not ______ off the bridge.
23. The bartender asked the drunken man ______ the pub and go home.
24. My mother taught me ______ mittens.
25. Do you want us ______ dessert?
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