Gerunds and Infinitives: Make, Let, Have + Bare Infinitive

Make, let, and have are special verbs that are followed by an object and a bare infinitive (infinitive without "to"). "My boss made me work late" (not "made me to work"). "She let him borrow her car" (not "let him to borrow"). "I had the mechanic check the brakes" (not "had the mechanic to check"). This bare infinitive pattern is different from most English verbs and requires careful attention.

Each verb has a distinct meaning. Make means to force or cause someone to do something: "The teacher made us repeat the exercise." Let means to allow or permit: "My parents let me stay out late." Have in this pattern means to arrange for someone to do something: "I'll have my assistant send you the files." Be careful: when "make" is used in the passive, it requires "to": "I was made to work late" (not "was made work"). This exception is commonly tested in Cambridge B1-B2 examinations.