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Verb Patterns: (A) I Want To Buy An Electric Car. (B) I Hate Driving

This document discusses verb patterns in English sentences. It explains that some sentences have one verb followed by another verb, such as "I want to buy an electric car" where "want" is the first verb and "buy" is the second. There are different patterns that can be used with the second verb, including an infinitive form ("to buy"), a gerund ("-ing") form ("driving"), a preposition plus verb and gerund ("specialises in helping"), or an object plus verb ("let me keep"). When learning new verbs, it is important to also learn which pattern they follow. Some verbs can have multiple patterns that change the meaning. Examples are provided of different verbs and their patterns.

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David Miranda Gomez
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43 views

Verb Patterns: (A) I Want To Buy An Electric Car. (B) I Hate Driving

This document discusses verb patterns in English sentences. It explains that some sentences have one verb followed by another verb, such as "I want to buy an electric car" where "want" is the first verb and "buy" is the second. There are different patterns that can be used with the second verb, including an infinitive form ("to buy"), a gerund ("-ing") form ("driving"), a preposition plus verb and gerund ("specialises in helping"), or an object plus verb ("let me keep"). When learning new verbs, it is important to also learn which pattern they follow. Some verbs can have multiple patterns that change the meaning. Examples are provided of different verbs and their patterns.

Uploaded by

David Miranda Gomez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MIRANDA GMEZ DAVID

7B

Verb patterns
Sometimes in a sentence, one verb follows another. For example, I want to buy an electric
car. The first verb is 'want', the second verb is 'buy'.
In sentences like this, there are different possible patterns. For example:
(a) I want to buy an electric car.
(b) I hate driving.
In sentence A, the first verb is followed by an infinitive.
In sentence B, the first verb is followed by a gerund (-ing) form.
The verb patterns are dependent upon the first verb. There are several different types of
pattern. When you learn a new verb, you need to learn the verb pattern. Unfortunately,
some verbs have more than one possible pattern! Sometimes, if a verb has two patterns,
each pattern can have a different meaning or use.

Verb + to + verb

These verbs all use this pattern: want, hope, decide, agree.
I want to work with Dr. Laver.
Tim hopes to leave the stockroom soon.
Helen decided to go out with Michal.
Alice might agree to change wards.

Verb + verb + ing

These verbs all use this pattern: enjoy, mind, consider.


I enjoy working on the emergency ward.
Alice doesn't mind working with children.
Tim is considering changing his job.

MIRANDA GMEZ DAVID

7B

Verb + preposition + verb +ing

These verbs all use this pattern: specialise, think.


He specialises in helping children.
Michal is thinking about cooking dinner.

Verb + object + verb

These verbs all use this pattern: let, make.


Dad let me keep the cat.
She made me say sorry.

Verbs with two patterns and different meanings

These verbs have two possible patterns, and there is a difference in meaning between the
patterns: like, hate, regret.
I like to swim every day = I think it is a good idea to do this
I like swimming every day = I enjoy the activity. It gives me pleasure
I hate to tell you this = I am sorry to tell you this
I hate flying = I do not like this activity
I regret to tell you this - I am sorry to tell you this
I regret leaving London - I left London in the past, and I am sorry that I did that

LINK
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode30/langua
gepoint.shtml

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