I. GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES: INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW (ALL ABOUT GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES)
3. Infinitives
3.6 Infinitives of Agency: Someone Causes Someone Else to Do Something
Infinitives of agency are used when someone causes someone else to do something. The agent of the action is the person who causes someone else to do something. There are different degrees of agency. Someone may force someone to do something, or they may simply let them do something (give them permission). There are certain verbs which are used to express agency. Normally, when a verb has an action as its object rather than a noun, the action is expressed as a gerund or infinitive. However, verbs of agency are followed by the base form of the verb instead. In some ways, they function as modals.
Verbs of agency include: make, have, let, help and get.
- We use these for talking about things that someone may cause, require, or permit another person (or animal, machine or object) to do.
- Use make, have, and let + object + base form of the verb
- The form of infinitives of agency is:
- Person or situation causing someone to do something + verb of agency + intended doer of the action + base form of the verb
- Here, the base form of the verb is used instead of the infinitive form
Examples
My boss made [me] do the project again.
My boss made [me] do the project again. (Subject + verb of agency + [doer of action] + base form of the verb + possible object)
The bad weather made [me] feel depressed.
The instructor had [us] give a presentation in class.
My parents often let [me] stay out until 12:00 midnight on weekends.
The textbook was very good and it helped [me] understand algebra better.
Exercise: Use the following words and phrases, which are not in the correct order, to make sentences that use verbs of agency.
Be sure to use the correct form of the verb that follows the main verb + doer of the action.
1. sick / made / the greasy food / feel / at the restaurant / me
Trả lời:
2. had / dress up / the host / us / in a costume / of the party
Trả lời:
3. me / my friend / his expensive new sports car / drive / let
Trả lời:
4. helped / working with refugees / us / the futility* / of war / understand
*futility = uselessness
Trả lời:
Sample Answers
1. The greasy food at the restaurant made me feel sick.
2. The host of the party had us dress up in a costume.
3. My friend let me drive his expensive new sports car.
4. Working with refugees helped us understand the futility of war.
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