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Verb Patterns

This document summarizes different verb patterns in English including verbs followed by to-infinitives, verb-ing, objects, and that clauses. It provides examples of common verbs that can be used in each pattern and notes when the pattern results in a change in meaning versus no change. Key patterns discussed include verb + to-infinitive, verb + verb-ing, verb + object + infinitive, verb + object + base form, and verb + object + 'that' clause.

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Oum El Ghoul
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549 views

Verb Patterns

This document summarizes different verb patterns in English including verbs followed by to-infinitives, verb-ing, objects, and that clauses. It provides examples of common verbs that can be used in each pattern and notes when the pattern results in a change in meaning versus no change. Key patterns discussed include verb + to-infinitive, verb + verb-ing, verb + object + infinitive, verb + object + base form, and verb + object + 'that' clause.

Uploaded by

Oum El Ghoul
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Verb Pattern

Verb + to-infinitive

Structure

Examples

This is one of the most common verb combination forms. - I waited to begin dinner. Afford, decide, agree, fail, hesitate, learn, manage, offer, - They wanted to come to the party. prepare, pretend, propose, refuse, seem, strive, tend, undertake, volunteer, claim, hope, promise, threaten This is one of the most common verb combination forms. - They enjoyed listening to the music. - They regretted spending so much time on the project. - She started to eat dinner. OR - She started eating dinner.

Verb + verb-ing

Verb + verb-ing OR to infinitive no change in meaning Verb + verb-ing OR verb infinitive change in meaning

Some verbs can combine with other verbs using both forms without changing the basic meaning of the sentence. Begin, continue, start Some verbs can combine with other verbs using both forms. However, with these verbs, there is a change in the basic meaning of the sentence. Hate, love, like, prefer + Verb-ing for general preference. + To-infinitive for a particular situation. Forget, regret, remember + Verb-ing for a past action. + To-infinitive for an action happening later. Try + Verb-ing means experiment with an action that might be a solution to your problem. Try + To-infinitive means to make an effort to do something. This is the most common form when a verb is followed by both an object and a verb. Allow*, advise*, ask, elect, expect, help, want, wish, encourage, force, challenge, enable, inspire, invite, order, persuade, require, teach, tell The (*) verbs can follow by a gerund without an object. This form is used with a few verbs. Let, help, make, have (in causative form). This form is used with a few verbs. Want, need, deserve Use this form for a clause beginning with 'that'. There is no object between command, direct, order, require, trust and a that-clause There is ALWAYS an object between persuade, remind and athat-clause. The object between instruct, teach, warn and a thatclause is optional.

- They stopped speaking to each other. => They don't speak to each other anymore. - They stopped to speak to each other. => They stopped walking in order to speak to each other. - I cant get in touch with Carl. Have you tried emailing him? - The doctor tried in vain to save his life.

Verb + object + infinitive

- She asked her to find a place to stay. - They instructed them to open the envelope.

Verb + object + base form (infinitive without 'to') Verb + verb-ing with passive meaing Verb + object + that clause

- She made her finish her homework. - They let him go to the concert. - He helped him paint the house. - Your proposal deserves discussing (to be discussed). - She told him that she would worker harder. - He informed him that he was going to resign. - She taught us that poetry was valuable. - She taught that poetry was valuable.

Wh-question word + to infinitive

Use this form for a clause beginning with wh- (why, - They were instructed where to go. when, where) Verbs that can be followed by a gerund

1- After verbs that express likes/dislikes:


like love enjoy

dislike hate don't mind

can't stand

can't bear

2- After certain other verbs, such as:


admit appreciate allow avoid advise consider deny delay understand

finish fancy go (in go swimming) involve keep mention mind stop

waste time/money imagine involve keep (on) mention miss postpone permit

practice suggest resist reject risk can't help can't stand

3- After prepositions:
interested in ... instead of ... good at ... 4- After certain expressions: it's no use ... it's no good ... there's no point in ... I can't help... I don't mind... I can't stand/bear... before ... after ...

Verbs that can be followed by an infinitive ( ex : to do)


1- After verbs that refer to a future event:

want hope aim intend arrange attempt promise be determined plan

consent decide demand deserve determine endeavor expect offer proceed

promise threaten swear volunteer want would like would hate would love

2 - After certain other verbs, such as:


afford agree help choose fail

happen refuse manage need seem

learn choose pretend

3 - After adjectives:

glad pleased

disappointed

4 - After "too" & "enough": too difficult easy enough


5 - Verbs that can be followed by both an infinitive and a gerund.Here are some example words: start begin stop remember

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