Verb Object Infinitive Infinitives commonly follow certain verbs

Verb + Object + Infinitive

Infinitives commonly follow certain verbs, such as : want, have, try, decide and learn. - Some examples are: want to get well, have to stop smoking, learn to relax. - Another common sentence pattern is: verb + object + infinitive

Only certain verbs can appear before an object + infinitive Advice – allow – ask Want – teach – tell She advised the patient to lose weight She ordered him not to smoke She didn’t tell him to exercise. * Not can come before the main verb or before the infinitive depending on the meaning. ( P 197)

Reflexive Pronouns If the subjective and the (direct or indirect ) object of a sentence are the same, the object should be a reflexive pronoun. I don’t like to exhaust myself. They bought themselves new clothes.

Singular reflexive pronouns: They end in –self : Myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself: I don’t want to exhaust myself. Help yourself. Ahmed doesn’t like to exercise by himself. Anna weighs herself every week. The problem will take care of itself.

Plural reflexive pronouns: end in – selves Ourselves, yourselves, themselves: let’s buy ourselves milkshakes. Don’t hurt yourselves. They bought themselves 4 cups of coffee.

A reflexive pronoun is often the indirect object of the main verb: Will you get yourself some lunch? Let’s tell ourselves the truth. By+ reflexive pronoun means “alone” or “without any help”.