Three common verbs — make, let, and help — share an unusual pattern. They take an object followed by a bare infinitive (the base form of the verb without to).
Most verbs that take an object plus another action use to (ask him to leave, tell her to wait). These three don't. The pattern is the same, but each verb adds its own meaning: make forces, let permits, help assists.
Make
Make + object + bare infinitive means to force or cause someone to do something. The pressure can be physical, social, or emotional.
The action happens because of the subject's pressure or influence. Sometimes the cause is direct (a parent makes a child clean the room), sometimes it's an emotional effect (a song makes you smile).
Passive with make
In the passive voice, to comes back. This is the one place where the bare infinitive pattern breaks.
The rule is narrow but strict: active uses bare infinitive, passive uses to-infinitive.
Let
Let + object + bare infinitive means to allow or permit someone to do something.
Let is also common in set phrases: let me know, let me think, let me see.
No passive with let
Unlike make, the verb let has no natural passive form. English speakers don't say "I was let to stay". Instead, the verb allow steps in, and allow always takes a to-infinitive.
Remember: let in the active, be allowed to in the passive.
Help
Help + object + (to) + infinitive means to assist someone with an action. Here both forms are correct — help her finish and help her to finish mean the same thing.
Modern English leans toward the bare infinitive. The to-version is more common in formal writing and in British English, but neither is wrong.
Help also works without an object or a second verb: Can I help? Let me help you.
One restriction: help is never followed by an -ing form.
A brief contrast: verbs that keep "to"
Many verbs with a similar meaning take a to-infinitive, not a bare one. This is where learners often slip.
| VERB | PATTERN | EXAMPLE |
|---|---|---|
| make | + bare infinitive | I made him leave. |
| let | + bare infinitive | I let him leave. |
| help | + bare or to-infinitive | I helped him (to) leave. |
| ask | + to-infinitive | I asked him to leave. |
| tell | + to-infinitive | I told him to leave. |
| want | + to-infinitive | I wanted him to leave. |
| force | + to-infinitive | I forced him to leave. |
| allow | + to-infinitive | I allowed him to leave. |
The meanings overlap (make and force, let and allow), but the grammar does not. Switching between these pairs is the main trap.
Common mistakes
Adding "to" after make or let
Forgetting "to" in the passive of make
Trying to use let in the passive
Using -ing after help
Mixing make/let with ask/tell/want