Dear Clara (verb + object + to)

Dear Clara

They want me to…

B1 · 60 minutes

Who decided?

Task When you were about ten, who decided? Choose. Then compare with a partner: where are you most different?

1

what time you went to bed

me

my family

both

2

what clothes you wore at the weekend

me

my family

both

3

your haircut

me

my family

both

4

your hobbies after school

me

my family

both

5

what you ate for breakfast

me

my family

both

The letter starts…

Ask Clara · you write in, Clara writes back

"My family has a plan for my future. The problem is, it isn't my plan."

Task In pairs. Guess.

Who is the writer? How old, and what do they do?

1

What is the family's plan, and what is the writer's plan?

2

Ask Clara

Task Read Yusuf's letter and Clara's reply. Were your guesses right?

Dear Clara

My family has a plan for my future. The problem is, it isn't my plan. I'm 19 and in my first year at university, studying biology. My parents want me to study medicine after my degree, like my older sister, Leila. But I don't want to be a doctor. I want to design buildings, and I draw them every evening.

Clara replies

Dear Yusuf, your parents want you to have a good future, and you want that too. You just don't agree yet on what it looks like.

Talk first

I'd advise you to talk to them before you decide anything. Ask your parents what worries them. Then show them your drawings and explain what an architect does.

It's not that simple

My parents aren't bad people. They know how hard it is to find work, and they expect me to have a safe job. They won't let me change my course, and last year they made me take extra chemistry at the weekend. I did well, but I hated every minute.

What should I do?

Leila is on my side. She'd like me to try a summer course in architecture first, but my parents don't want me to "waste a summer". My friends tell me to change course and explain later. What should I do? Yusuf

One summer

Leila's idea is a good one. Would your parents allow you to do the summer course after your exams? It will tell you whether you really love architecture, and it will show your parents how serious you are. Changing course now is faster, but I'd advise you not to rush. Clara

Whose idea?

Task Whose idea is it? Choose, then find the line in the text.

1

Who thinks Yusuf needs a safe job?

Yusuf

his parents

Clara

2

Who dreams of designing buildings?

Yusuf

his parents

Clara

3

Who thinks Yusuf should speak to his parents first?

Yusuf

his parents

Clara

4

Who thinks a summer course is a waste of time?

Yusuf

his parents

Clara

5

Who thinks the drawings could help?

Yusuf

his parents

Clara

6

Who would like to leave biology?

Yusuf

his parents

Clara

Talk about it

Task In pairs. Answer the questions, then tell the class.

Is Clara's advice good? What would you add?

1

When Yusuf talks to his parents, what will they say, do you think?

2

Look again

Task Look again at the letter and the reply. Which is correct? Then complete the rule.

1

My parents want _______ medicine.

that I study

me study

me to study

2

They won't let _______ my course.

me change

me to change

3

I'd advise you _______ to them.

talking

to talk

After want, would like, allow… + a person, the next verb is __________ . After make and let + a person, it's __________ .

A

to + verb

B

verb (no to)

C

that + sentence

The person after the first verb _______ the second action.

does

doesn't do

Two groups

Task Find these verbs in the text. What comes after the person: to + a verb, or a verb with no to? Write each verb in the right group.

let

expect

would like

advise

make

want

allow

verb + person + to + verb

verb + person + verb (no to)

Grammar reference

verb + person + to + verb

make / let + person + verb (no to)

want, would like, expect, allow, advise. My parents want me to study medicine. Would they allow you to do the course? I'd advise you to talk to them.

They made me take extra chemistry. They won't let me change my course. (make, made, made · let, let, let)

the person

negative

also

me, you, him, her, us, them: They want me to…, not They want I…. The person does the second action: They want me to study = I study.

My parents don't want me to waste a summer.

I'd advise you not to rush.

remind, persuade, encourage + person + to: She reminded me to call.

get someone to do = persuade them to do it: I got my sister to call them.

Never that after want, would like, allow, make or let: not They want that I study.

CAREFUL

They let me choose. = They allowed me to choose. Same meaning, but only allow takes to.

Her first editor

Task Clara remembers her first job at a newspaper. Choose the correct option.

1

My first editor wanted __________ about the weather.

me to write

that I write

2

She didn't let __________ my own stories.

me to choose

me choose

3

She expected __________ every name twice.

me check

me to check

4

She made __________ my first article five times.

me rewrite

me to rewrite

5

One day, she let __________ a famous chef.

me to interview

I interview

me interview

6

Later, she advised __________ an advice column.

me starting

me to start

More letters

Task Lines from other readers' letters. Four have a mistake and two are correct. Find and correct the mistakes.

1

My parents want that I learn to drive this summer.

2

My aunt let me choose my own course.

3

Our coach made we run ten kilometres in the rain.

4

My flatmate would like me cook dinner on Fridays.

5

My manager expects me to start at eight.

6

My teacher advised me taking a year off.

Say it another way

Task Complete the second sentence so it means the same as the first. Use the word in capitals and two to five words.

1

"Call me every Sunday, please," my mum says.

WANT

4

I had to do the exercise again. My teacher said so.

MAKE

My mum __________ every Sunday.

My teacher __________ the exercise again.

2

My dad said I could borrow his car for the weekend.

LET

5

My boss says I have to finish the report by Friday.

EXPECT

My dad __________ his car for the weekend.

My boss __________ the report by Friday.

3

At my school, we couldn't use our phones in class.

ALLOW

6

"Don't buy a car yet," my brother said to me.

ADVISE

My school didn't __________ our phones in class.

My brother __________ a car yet.

Then

Task Make notes, then tell your partner. Talk about yourself or someone you know.

When you were about twelve, what did the adults at home make you do?

1

2

What did they let you do? What didn't they allow?

What did they want you to do when you finished school? What did they advise you to do?

3

And now?

Task In groups. Imagine you're in charge of a twelve-year-old for a year.

What would you want them to do every day? What would you make them do?

1

What would you let them do that twelve-year-olds couldn't do in the past?

2

Agree three house rules for twelve-year-olds today. Tell the class: We'd want them to… · We'd let them… · We wouldn't allow them to… · We'd expect them to…

3

Homework

Task A Another reader writes to Clara. Write Clara's reply (80–100 words). Use at least four of these verbs: want, would like, expect, allow, advise, make, let, and at least one negative.

Task B Rewrite each rule from a gym, office or library notice with the verb in brackets.

'No phones in the pool.' (LET)

They don't let you use phones in the pool.

Dear Clara

I started a new job three months ago, and I like it. But my manager expects me to answer emails in the evening, and last week she made me come in on Saturday. She doesn't let anyone leave before six, even when the work is finished. My colleagues tell me to say nothing. I'd like her to trust us more, but I don't want her to think I'm lazy. What should I do? Always Online

1

'Staff must sign in at the desk.' (EXPECT)

2

'Members may bring one guest.' (ALLOW)

3

'Shower before you swim.' (MAKE)

4

'Bring your own lock, please.' (WOULD LIKE)

TEACHER'S REFERENCE · SKIP OR DELETE BEFORE CLASS

Answer key (1)

WHOSE IDEA?

1 his parents ("they expect me to have a safe job")

2 Yusuf ("I want to design buildings")

3 Clara ("I'd advise you to talk to them before you decide anything")

4 his parents ("my parents don't want me to 'waste a summer'")

5 Clara ("Then show them your drawings")

6 Yusuf ("They won't let me change my course")

TWO GROUPS

verb + person + to + verb expect, would like, advise, want, allow (and tell, if students add it)

verb + person + verb (no to) let, make

HER FIRST EDITOR

1 me to write · 2. me choose · 3. me to check · 4. me rewrite · 5. me interview · 6. me to start

LOOK AGAIN

Which is correct? 1 me to study; 2 me change; 3 to talk

The rule After want, would like, allow… + a person: A (to + verb). After make and let + a person: B (verb, no to). The person after the first verb does the second action.

MORE LETTERS

1 My parents want me to learn to drive this summer.

2 Correct.

3 Our coach made us run ten kilometres in the rain.

4 My flatmate would like me to cook dinner on Fridays.

5 Correct.

6 My teacher advised me to take a year off. (also correct: My teacher advised taking a year off.)

TEACHER'S REFERENCE · SKIP OR DELETE BEFORE CLASS

Answer key (2)

SAY IT ANOTHER WAY

1 wants me to call her (also: wants me to call / phone / ring her)

2 let me borrow (also: let me use / take / have / drive)

3 allow us to use

4 made me do

5 expects me to finish (expects that I'll finish is grammatical, but it means the boss thinks it will happen, a fact, not what the boss requires: it changes the meaning, so ask for expects me to finish)

6 advised me not to buy (also correct: advised me against buying. advised that I shouldn't buy is correct, formal English, but it runs over the five-word limit)

HOMEWORK (A): A POSSIBLE REPLY

Dear Always Online, your manager probably wants the team to do well, but she can't expect you to work all evening. I'd advise you to talk to her, calmly and on your own. Ask her what she expects you to do after six. Would she let you answer emails the next morning? Maybe she made everyone come in on Saturday for one big job. Your colleagues tell you to say nothing, but I'd advise you not to wait too long. Clara

HOMEWORK (B)

1 They expect staff to sign in at the desk.

2 They allow members to bring one guest.

3 They make you shower before you swim.

4 They'd like you to bring your own lock. (also: They would like you to bring…)