Which one of this two sentences is correct?
- I need you to help me do this job
- I need you to help me to do this job
Can you also provide me some explanation?
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2 Answers
This is a licensing matter, which is discussed in a little more detail here. Briefly, the types of construction which you may employ in subordinate clauses are determined by the verb which the clause complements: each verb licenses (permits) some types of construction and prohibits others.
In your example, the constructions licensed by the verb need are those with a marked infinitive (to + VERB) :
I need to help you.
I need you to help me.
I need for you to help me. ... BUT NOT
✲I need you help me.
In contrast, the verb help licenses constructions with the bare infinitive:
Help me do this job.
At one time, help also licensed constructions with the marked infinitive, but this use is less common today, and has an old-fashioned ring.
?Help me to do this job.
It’s not exactly wrong, and you should not be disturbed if you encounter it; but I recommend that you restrict yourself to constructions with the unmarked infinitive.
Note that this is entirely different from constructions in which to acts as a preposition rather than an infinitive marker:
John helped his father to his feet. ... meaning John helped his father rise
John helped us to London. ... meaning John helped us make our way to London
✲ marks an utterance as unacceptable ? marks an utterance as possibly unacceptable
answered Mar 23, 2013 at 13:40
Some verbs are commonly followed by an object and the base form of another verb. Verbs are let, make, have, help. Examples:
Please HELP me call people.
Could you HAVE her text me?
Some verbs are commonly followed by an object and an infinitive. Verbs are invite, ask, tell, remind. Examples:
Could you REMIND them to come early?
I INVITED you to come.
