Unit 52

I want you to ... I told you to ...

Grammar
Examples
Exercises

A. I want you to ...

I'm going. Please don't go.
The woman wants to go.
The man doesn't want the woman to go.
He wants her to stay.

We say:

I want{ somebody / Ann }to do something
  • I want you to be happy. (not 'I want that you are happy')
  • They didn't want anybody to know their secret.
  • Do you want me to lend you some money?

We use would like in the same way:

  • Would you like me to lend you some money?

B. verb + somebody + to ...

verbsomebodyto ...
askSueto be careful.
tellIto do?
advisethemto come with us.
expectGeorgeto be here.
persuademy brotherto swim.
teach
  • Sue asked a friend to lend her some money.
  • What do you advise me to do?
  • I didn't expect them to be here.
  • We persuaded George to come with us.
  • I taught my brother to swim.

C. I told you to ... / I told you not to ...

Wait for me.
Don't wait for me.

→ Ann told me to wait for her.
→ Paul told Sue not to wait for him.

D. make and let

After make and let, we do not use to:

  • He's very funny. He makes me laugh. (not 'makes me to laugh')
  • At school our teacher made us work very hard.
  • Sue let me use her computer because mine wasn't working. (not 'let me to use')

You can say Let's ... (= Let us) when you want people to do things with you:

  • Come on! Let's dance.
  • 'Shall we go out tonight?' 'No, I'm tired. Let's stay at home.'

I want you to ...

  • I want you to be happy.
  • They didn't want anybody to know their secret.
  • Do you want me to lend you some money?

verb + somebody + to ...

  • Sue asked a friend to lend her some money.
  • What do you advise me to do?
  • I taught my brother to swim.

I told you (not) to ...

  • Ann told me to wait for her.
  • Paul told Sue not to wait for him.

make and let

  • He makes me laugh.
  • She let me use her computer.
  • Let's dance.
Progress: 0% (0/0)
52.1 Write sentences beginning I want you ... / I don't want you ... / Do you want me ...?
1. (you must come with me) →
2. (listen carefully) →
3. (please don't be angry) →
4. (shall I wait for you?) →
5. (don't phone me tonight) →
6. (you must meet Sarah) →
52.2 Look at the pictures and complete the sentences.
Come on! Let's go to the cinema!
DAN
Where's the station?
YOU
I'm not well. You should go to the doctor.
SUSAN
Can you help me?
LINDA
I'm busy now. Come back in ten minutes.
TOM
Can I use your phone?
YOU
Don't phone before 8 o'clock.
PAUL
Do you play the piano?
YOU
1. Dan persuaded me .
2. I wanted to get to the station. A woman told .
3. Brian wasn't well. I advised .
4. Linda had a lot of luggage. She asked .
5. I was busy. I told .
6. I wanted to make a phone call. Paul let .
7. Sue is going to phone later. I told .
8. Ann's mother taught .
52.3 Complete these sentences with the verbs in the list. Sometimes to is necessary (go/wait etc.).
arrive
borrow
get
go
make
repeat
tell
think
wait
1. Please stay here. I don't want you .
2. I didn't hear what she said, so I asked her .
3. 'Shall we begin?' 'No, let's a few minutes.'
4. Are they already here? I expected them much later.
5. Kevin's parents didn't want him married.
6. I want to stay here. You can't make me with you.
7. 'Is that your bicycle?' 'No, it's John's. He let me it.'
8. Mary can't come to the party. She told me you.
9. 'Would you like a drink?' 'Would you like me some coffee?'
10. 'Ann doesn't like me.' 'What makes you that?'