Both infinitives and gerunds can function as the subject and complement of a sentence. When an infinitive or gerund serves as the subject, it is usually used without any other word. However, when they function as a complement, they often require other parts of speech. Some specific transitive verbs require an indirect object (usually a person) followed by the infinitive to complete a sentence. The specific verbs are:
- allow
- ask
- beg
- convince
- expect
- instruct
- invite
- order
- persuade
- prepare
- remind
- urge
- want
- permit
- promise
If the complements of these verbs are infinitives, they must be followed by an indirect object (a person) in the form of a noun or object pronoun.
Examples:
- Incorrect: You allowed him going there after what he has done!
- Correct: You allowed him to go there after what he has done!
- Incorrect: He asked me helping him in this project.
- Correct: He asked me to help him in this project.
- Incorrect: I did not beg her giving me her number.
- Correct: I did not beg her to give me her number.
- Incorrect: He convinced me working with the president.
- Correct: He convinced me to work with the president.
- Incorrect: John expects you staying in that hotel.
- Correct: John expects you to stay in that hotel.
- Incorrect: I instructed him talking with her.
- Correct: I instructed him to talk with her.
- Incorrect: I urge you going there.
- Correct: I urge you to go there.
- Incorrect: He invited me coming to his town.
- Correct: He invited me to come to his town.
- Incorrect: He ordered me bringing the keys for him.
- Correct: He ordered me to bring the keys for him.
- Incorrect: My father permitted me going to the pilgrimage.
- Correct: My father permitted me to go to the pilgrimage.
- Incorrect: He persuaded me using the smartphone.
- Correct: He persuaded me to use the smartphone.
- Incorrect: I have prepared her living in the real world.
- Correct: I have prepared her to live in the real world.
- Incorrect: I promised him reaching there on time.
- Correct: I promised him to reach there on time.
- Incorrect: He wants me being the best batsman in the team.
- Correct: He wants me to be the best batsman in the team.
- Incorrect: He reminded me completing the task.
- Correct: He reminded me to complete the task.
However, other transitive verbs can be followed by a gerund as a complement, but it must be preceded by a possessive adjective. Therefore, pronouns can come before a gerund in the form of a possessive.