Unit 72 Verbs with other clauses

Main points

* `Make' and `let' can be followed by an object and a base form.

* Some verbs of perception can be followed by an object and an `-ing' clause, or an object and a base form.

* `Have' and `get' can be followed by an object and a past participle.

* `Dare' is followed by a `to'-infinitive clause or a base form.

1 You can use an object and a base form after `make' to say that one person causes another person to do something, or after `let' to say they allow them to do something.
My father made me go for the interview.
Jenny let him talk.

2 Some verbs of perception are used with an object and an `-ing' clause if an action is unfinished or continues over a period of time, and with an object and a base form if the action is finished.

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He heard a distant voice shouting.
Dr Hochstadt heard her gasp.

You normally use an `-ing' clause after `notice', `observe', `smell', and `understand'.
I could smell Chinese vegetables cooking.
We can understand them wanting to go.

3 You can use an object and a past participle after `have' or `get', when you want to say that someone arranges for something to be done. `Have' is slightly more formal.
We've just had the house decorated.
We must get the car repaired.

You also use `have' and `get' with an object and a past participle to say that something happens to someone, especially if it is unpleasant.
She had her purse stolen.
He got his car broken into at the weekend.

4 You use `have' followed by an object and an `-ing' clause, or an object and a past participle, when you want to say that someone causes something to happen, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Alan had me looking for that book all day.
He had me utterly confused.

5 You use `want' and `would like' with an object and a past participle to indicate that you want something to be done.
I want the work finished by January 1st.
How would you like your hair cut, sir?

6 `Dare' can be followed by a `to'-infinitive clause or a base form in negative or interrogative sentences:

* when there is an auxiliary or modal in front of `dare'
He did not dare to walk to the village.
What bank would dare offer such terms?

* when you use the form `dares' or `dared' (but not `dares not' or `dared not')
No one dares disturb him.
No other manager dared to compete.

You must use a base form in:

* negative or interrogative sentences without an auxiliary or modal before `dare'
I daren't ring Jeremy again.
Nobody dare disturb him.
Dare she go in?

* negative sentences with `dares not' or `dared not'
He dares not risk it.
Sonny dared not disobey.

Note that the phrase `how dare you' is always followed by a base form.
How dare you speak to me like that?

`Dare' is rarely used in affirmative sentences.