Verbs with object + infinitive
Many verbs can be followed by object + infinitive.
Study the following sentences.
- He asked me to call the doctor.
- I believe him to be honest.
- She requested me to help her.
- He told me not to come back.
- We know him to be a criminal.
In most cases these structures can be made passive.
- I was asked to call the doctor. (Passive)
- He is believed to be honest.
- I was requested to help her.
- I was told not to come back.
- He is known to be a criminal.
In active structures, the verbs hear, see, make and help are followed by object + infinitive without to. In passive structures, to-infinitives are used.
- I heard her sing a song. (NOT I heard her to sing a song.)
- She was heard to sing a song. (NOT She was heard sing a song.)
- I saw him get out of the train. (NOT I saw him to get out of the train.)
- He was seen to get out of the train. (NOT He was seen get out of the train.)
- They made him drink the milk.
- He was made to drink the milk.
- She helped me lift the box.
- I was helped to lift the box.
- They made her repeat the whole story.
- She was made to repeat the whole story.