TOEIC Link Part 5: Verb + Object + To-Infinitive — advise, encourage, require, allow, expect
A large and very testable family of TOEIC Link Part 5 questions hinges on one sentence frame: verb + object + to-infinitive. Sentences like The manager asked the team to submit the report or The new policy requires all employees to register follow a fixed pattern, and once you recognize it, the question answers itself. The test exploits the pattern in three ways — by removing the to, by offering the wrong form of the second verb, or by slipping in one of the bare-infinitive exceptions (let, make, have) where the to does not appear. This guide covers the pattern, the high-frequency verbs that follow it, and the exact traps Part 5 sets.
The core pattern
Many verbs that describe influencing, requesting, permitting, or expecting take a direct object followed by a to-infinitive:
subject + verb + object + to + base verb
The supervisor encouraged the interns to ask questions. The agreement allows members to access the lounge.
The object is the person or thing acted on; the to-infinitive states what they are expected, asked, or permitted to do. The to is mandatory and the verb after it is always the base form (to ask, not to asking or to asks).
High-frequency verbs that take this pattern
Memorize this set — they appear constantly in business contexts:
| Category | Verbs |
|---|---|
| Requesting | ask, request, invite, remind, urge |
| Influencing | encourage, persuade, convince, motivate, inspire |
| Requiring | require, expect, instruct, order, force, oblige |
| Permitting | allow, permit, enable, authorize |
| Advising | advise, warn, recommend (someone) — careful, see below |
| Wanting | want, expect, need (someone to do) |
When Part 5 shows you one of these verbs with an object after it and a blank before the second verb, the answer is the to-infinitive:
The bank requires applicants ___ two forms of identification. (A) submitting (B) to submit (C) submit (D) submitted
Require takes object + to-infinitive, so the answer is (B) to submit.
Trap 1: the bare-infinitive exceptions
Three very common verbs break the pattern: let, make, and have (in the causative sense) take an object + bare infinitive — no to:
The manager let the team leave early. (not to leave) The error made the system restart. (not to restart) We had the technician inspect the unit. (not to inspect)
The verb help allows both: helped us (to) finish. Part 5 loves to put make, let, or have in a sentence that otherwise looks like the to-infinitive family, then offer to do as a tempting wrong answer. If the verb is make, let, or have (causative), strip the to. For the causative side of this in depth, see passive voice and the causative.
Trap 2: recommend, suggest, and the that-clause verbs
Some advising verbs do not take object + to-infinitive. Recommend and suggest take a that-clause (often with the subjunctive base verb) or a gerund, not an object + infinitive:
The consultant recommended that the company expand overseas. (subjunctive)
The consultant recommended the company to expand.(wrong)
So when you see recommend or suggest, do not reach for the to-infinitive. This overlaps with the mandative subjunctive — covered in the subjunctive mood and hypothetical constructions.
Trap 3: confusing this with the gerund-taking verbs
A separate family of verbs takes a gerund directly with no object (enjoy doing, consider doing, avoid doing), and another takes a to-infinitive with no object (decide to do, agree to do). Don't mix the frames. The pattern in this guide specifically has an object between the verb and the second verb. If there is no object — just verb + second verb — you are in the gerund-vs-infinitive territory instead; see gerund versus infinitive after verbs.
A 3-step routine for these questions
- Find the main verb and check for an object after it. Object present → likely the verb + object + to-infinitive frame.
- Identify the verb. If it is make, let, or causative have → bare infinitive (no to). If it is recommend/suggest → that-clause, not object + infinitive. Otherwise → to-infinitive.
- Confirm the second verb is the base form after to (or bare). Eliminate any -ing or past-tense options.
Worked examples
Security regulations oblige visitors ___ a badge at all times. (A) wear (B) to wear (C) wearing (D) worn — (B): oblige takes object + to-infinitive.
The fire drill made everyone ___ the building within five minutes. (A) to evacuate (B) evacuating (C) evacuate (D) evacuated — (C): make takes a bare infinitive.
The board authorized the CFO ___ the contract. (A) signing (B) to sign (C) sign (D) signs — (B): authorize takes object + to-infinitive.
Bottom line
The verb + object + to-infinitive frame is one of the most reliable point-scorers in Part 5 because it is mechanical: spot the influencing/requesting/requiring verb, confirm there is an object, and supply the to-infinitive — unless the verb is make, let, or causative have (bare infinitive) or recommend/suggest (that-clause). Build the verb list into muscle memory and these questions take seconds.