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Verb Patterns

The document outlines various verb patterns in English, detailing how certain verbs are followed by gerunds (-ing form) or infinitives (to + base form). It includes examples and distinctions in meaning for verbs like 'remember', 'try', 'stop', 'need', 'regret', 'mean', and 'go on'. Additionally, it explains the usage of 'like' in different contexts and the verb 'help' with its infinitive forms.

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17 views15 pages

Verb Patterns

The document outlines various verb patterns in English, detailing how certain verbs are followed by gerunds (-ing form) or infinitives (to + base form). It includes examples and distinctions in meaning for verbs like 'remember', 'try', 'stop', 'need', 'regret', 'mean', and 'go on'. Additionally, it explains the usage of 'like' in different contexts and the verb 'help' with its infinitive forms.

Uploaded by

minmoon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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VERB PATTERNS

VERB +ING
● admit, adore, allow, avoid, can´t stand, carry on, consider, deny,
delay, (don´t) mind, enjoy, fancy, finish, give up, imagine, involve,
keep, keep on, postpone, practise, put off, recommend, risk, suggest
He avoided writing the test.
Keep smiling!
Did you enjoy reading the book?
He denied stealing the purse.
I don't mind helping you.
He recommended staying in that hotel.
VERB + TO + INFINITIVE

● afford, agree, allow (passive), appear, arrange, ask, attempt, choose,


dare, decide, expect, fail, forget, help, hope, learn, manage, offer,
plan, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, tend, threaten, want, would like
to
I can´t afford to go on holiday.
She´s decided to give up her job.
It seems to be a nice day.
He agreed to lend me some money.
You are not allowed to smoke here.
VERB + OBJECT + TO + INFINITIVE

● advise, allow, ask, beg, encourage, expect, force, invite, order, permit,
persuade, recommend, remind, teach, tell, want, warn, would like
They invited us to stay in their house.
She told me to come on time.
They asked us not to make such a noise.
VERB + -ING / TO + INFINITIVE (NO CHANGE IN
MEANING)

● begin, continue, intend, start


It started to rain / raining.
VERB + OBJECT + INFINITIVE

● help, let, make


Let me show you.
The news made her cry.
I´ll help you do it.
NOTE!
LIKE: We use like + -ing when we talk about hobbies and something we do with
pleasure. Like=enjoy.

I like cooking and reading books.

When like doesn´t mean enjoy, but we talk about something we think is good or
right to do, or it is a habit, we say like + infinitive.

I like to do the washing up immediately after the meal.

We like to eat out every Sunday.


VERB + -ING / TO + INFINITIVE (CHANGE IN MEANING)
REMEMBER

● doing sth. - when you did something and now you remember it; after you did
something

I don't know how the burglar got in. I clearly remember locking the door and
shutting the windows.

● to do sth - you remembered that you had to do something, so you did it;
before you did it

I remembered to lock the door but I forgot to shut the windows.


TRY

● doing something - try something to see if it works or solves the problem


- I've got a terrible headache.
- Why don't you try taking an aspirin?

● to do something - attempt to do, make an effort to do something

I tried to keep my open but I couldn´t.


STOP
● doing something - to give up, finish with sth completely
I stopped smoking two years ago. (I don’t do it anymore)
● to do something - stop doing what you are doing at the moment in
order to do something else
I was reading a book. The phone started to ring. I stopped to answer
it.
NEED

● doing something - something needs to be done about something else (the


meaning is passive

Look at this room. It needs painting.

● to do something - it is necessary for me to do it

He put on weight. He needs to take more exercise. I need to do the shopping


today.
REGRET

● doing something - I did something and now I am sorry about it.

I now regret saying what I said.

● to do something - regret to say/tell/inform you = I´m sorry I have to say…

I regret to tell you that you have failed the test.


MEAN

● doing something - an impersonal subject, refers to what is involved

If we catch an early train, it will mean getting up at 6.00.

● to do something- to intend

Sorry, I meant to tell you about the party.


GO ON

● doing something - to continue doing the same thing

The minister paused for a moment and then went on talking about the
education.

● to do something- to start something new

The minister talked about education and after a break he went on to talk
about health care.
HELP

● Help is followed by infinitive with or without to:

Everybody helped (to) clean up.

Everybody helped her (to) clean up.

BUT!

● I can´t help doing sth = I can´t stop myself from doing something

I tried to be serious but I couldn't help laughing.

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