Make someone do something – force, compel somebody to do something

Let somebody do something – allow somebody to do something

Get somebody to do something – ask / persuade somebody to do something

NB make/let + object + bare infinitive; get + object + infinitive with to

I Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verbs make, let, get

1. Father _________ me do all the work again.

2. My neighbour ________ me borrow his car.

3. It’s no good. The car’s broken down and I can’t _________ it go.

4. I can’t _______ the TV to work.

5. You’d better _______ your doctor decide what’s best for you.

6. When he told me the whole story, it ________ me change my mind.

7. It took me half an hour but I finally _______ him to agree to the plan.

8. Do you think it’s wise to ______ your children stay out so late?

9. Don’t worry! I _______ him to tell you the truth about the incident.

10. I really enjoy her company. She always ________ me laugh.

II Rewrite the sentences using make, let, get

1. Before you buy a house, you should have a surveyor look over it.

_______________________________________________

2. My boss allowed me to leave work an hour early yesterday.

_____________________________________________

3. We’ll have to ask someone to clean up this mess.

______________________________________

4. The judge compelled the witness to apologize to the court.

____________________________________________

5. The Faculty allowed him to take the exam again.

______________________________________

III Write down what happened in each conversation using make, let, get

1. Ann: Could I use your phone? Tom: Certainly.

Tom _____________________________.

2. Sue: Miss Jones, will you, please, explain it once again? Teacher: All right, but pay attention this time.

Sue ___________________________________.

3. Jim: I haven’t done my homework yet. Father: Go to your room and finish it!

Father ________________________________.

The key:

I

1. Father made me do all the work again.

2. My neighbour let me borrow his car.

3. It’s no good. The car’s broken down and I can’t make it go.

4. I can’t get the TV to work.

5. You’d better let your doctor decide what’s best for you.

6. When he told me the whole story, it made me change my mind.

7. It took me half an hour but I finally got him to agree to the plan.

8. Do you think it’s wise to let your children stay out so late?

9. Don’t worry! I’ll get him to tell you the truth about the incident.

10. I really enjoy her company. She always makes me laugh.

II

1. Before you buy a house, you should get a surveyor to look over it.

2. My boss let me leave work an hour early yesterday.

3. We’ll have to get someone to clean up this mess.

4. The judge made the witness apologize to the court.

5. The Faculty let him take the exam again.

III

1. Tom let Ann use his phone.

2. Sue got the teacher to explain it once again.

3. Father has made Jim go to his room and do his homework.

Have a nice day,

Gordana