The bare infinitive after modal verbs

The main use of the bare infinitive is after modal verbs. All the modal verbs [except ought, > 11.6 in.2] must be followed by a bare infinitive (except in short responses like Yes, I can):

I can/could/may/might/wi!l/shall/should/must leave soon Dare/need, when they are modal, are similar (Dare/Need we ask?). The negative is formed by adding not before the infinitive:

/ cannot/can't go, etc. [> 11.5.1].

16.4 The bare infinitive after 'let' and 'make'

Let' as an auxiliary verb

We commonly use the imperative form Let's (the contraction of Let us) as an auxiliary verb followed by a bare infinitive when making suggestions for actions that include the speaker. Let's is often associated with shall we?[> 11.40]: Let's take a taxi' Let's take a taxi, shall we? Do let's

The negative of Let's in suggestions is: Let's not/Don't let's argue about it.

16 The infinitive and the '-ing¹ form

Informally, Let's can relate to / in e.g. offers and requests: Let's give you a hand (= I'll) Let's have a look (= Can I?)

Let as an auxiliary need not always followed by us: Let XYZ be a triangle Let them eat cake Let there be light Don't let me (or, very formal, Let me not) interrupt you

Let'as a full verb

The basic meaning of let is allow, and in this sense it is a full verb, always followed by a noun or pronoun object before a bare infinitive. If the object is us, it cannot be reduced to let's:

Please let us have more time, will you? (= allow us to)

Don't let the children annoy you

I won't let you ride my bicycle Let. can be followed by a passive infinitive:

He let it be known he was about to resign but is not normally used in the passive to mean 'be allowed'. Compare:

They didn't let us speak. We were not allowed to speak

16.4.3 'Make' (= compel) + bare infinitive

Make (active) + noun/pronoun object can be followed by a bare

infinitive. It means 'compel' or 'cause to': Miss Prouty made the boys stay in after school That beard makes you look much older than you are

However, in the passive, make in these senses is followed by to: He was made to work twenty hours a day

Unlike let, make(= compel) can never be followed by a passive

infinitive. But compare make in a different sense: Rules were made (= created) to be broken

16.4.4 Fixed phrases with 'let' and make' + bare infinitive

The bare infinitive occurs in a number of fixed verb phrases with let and make'- e.g. let fall, let go let me see, let slip, live and let live, make believe, make do

The dog's got a stick between his teeth and he won't let go You II have to make your pocket money do I can't give you more