In English, the verb ‘help’ is commonly followed by the base form of another verb, but understanding why this happens can be tricky for learners. This article will explain the structure and reasoning behind this construction, using examples and grammar rules to clarify why ‘help’ works this way.
1. The Role of ‘Help’ in a Sentence
‘Help’ is a verb that indicates assistance or support. It can be used both as a transitive verb (with a direct object) and intransitively (without a direct object). When it is followed by another verb, it expresses the idea of assisting someone in performing an action.
2. Why Use the Base Form After ‘Help’?
In English, certain verbs allow the base form of a verb to follow them. This is the case with ‘help.’ For example, ‘She helped me learn English.’ The verb ‘help’ is not followed by ‘to’ and instead directly connects to the base form of the verb. This is a common pattern in English where verbs like ‘let’, ‘make’, and ‘help’ follow this structure to create more direct and concise sentences.
3. Examples of ‘Help’ Followed by the Base Form
Here are a few examples showing how ‘help’ is used with the base form of verbs:
- ‘She helped me finish my homework.’
- ‘They helped us clean the room.’
- ‘He will help you complete the project.’
As you can see, ‘help’ is always followed directly by the base form of the verb without the need for ‘to’.
4. What Happens When We Add ‘To’?
While some verbs require ‘to’ before the base form (e.g., ‘want to do’), with ‘help’, the structure remains simpler. If we added ‘to’ in these sentences, it would sound awkward and unnatural: ‘She helped me to finish my homework’ is grammatically incorrect in this context. However, adding ‘to’ can sometimes be used for stylistic emphasis in formal writing, but it is not the standard structure.
5. Conclusion
The reason ‘help’ is followed by the base form of a verb is a unique grammatical feature in English that allows for simplicity and fluidity in sentence construction. It’s one of the many quirks of English grammar that helps make communication more direct. Understanding this structure will help you use ‘help’ more naturally in your speaking and writing.
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