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Unit 8 Verb Patterns

The document discusses verb patterns in English, focusing on how certain verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund (-ing form). It outlines various categories of verbs, including those that require specific structures, such as verbs followed by an object and an infinitive, and provides examples of how these patterns can change meaning. Additionally, it highlights the importance of learning verb patterns when acquiring new vocabulary.

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Ana Nicola
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12 views11 pages

Unit 8 Verb Patterns

The document discusses verb patterns in English, focusing on how certain verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund (-ing form). It outlines various categories of verbs, including those that require specific structures, such as verbs followed by an object and an infinitive, and provides examples of how these patterns can change meaning. Additionally, it highlights the importance of learning verb patterns when acquiring new vocabulary.

Uploaded by

Ana Nicola
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit  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.
A. -ing and infinitive (1): verb + -ing form or infinitive
A. -ing and infinitive (1): verb + -ing form or infinitive

1. VERBS FOLLOWED BY -ING FORM

avoid consider delay deny


dislike enjoy finish can’t help
involve justify like (=enjoy) look forward to
mind miss postpone practice
risk suggest can’t stand carry on
put off

We delayed launching the product because of technical problems.


I really enjoy travelling abroad.
Alice doesn't mind working with children.
Tim is considering changing his job.

2. EXPRESSIONS BELLOW ARE FOLLOWED BY THE -ING FORM


It’s a waste of time/money ...
There’s no point (in) ...
It’s no use ...
It’s (not) worth ...

It's not worth repairing the camera. It would be cheaper to buy a new one.
3. VERBS FOLLOWED BY TO + INFINITIVE

afford agree arrange attempt claim


decide demand deserve expect fail
guarantee hesitate hope learn manage
neglect offer plan prepare pretend
promise refuse seem tend threaten
train want would like

He has arranged to meet the visitors at the factory.


I want to work with Dr. Laver.
Tim hopes to leave the stockroom soon.
Helen decided to go out with Michael.
Alice might agree to change wards.
We were very unhappy with service they had provided. We refused to pay them.
The company is taking on a lot of new staff. They plan to extend their researches in a new area.
He was angry about the way company had treated him. They threatened to stop his project.
B. -ing and infinitive (2): verbs and objects
B. -ing and infinitive (2): verbs and objects

4. VERB + OBJECT + INFINITIVE


There are a number of verbs that can take a direct object and to + infinitive. Common examples are:

advise allow ask enable encourage force


invite order persuade remind tell warn

The lawyer advised me to read the contract carefully.


The negotiators persuaded the union to accept the pay deal.
The court ordered the company to pay compensation.
The fall in demand forced us to cut production
They invited me to speak at the conference.

5. REPORTED SPEECH
Many of the words listed above can be used to report what people say.
e.g. "Could you come back later?" he asked me.
He asked me to come back later.
The verb warn is usually used with not to do:
e.g. He said, "Don't put all your money in one company"
He warned me not to put all my money in one company.
B. -ing and infinitive (2): verbs and objects

6. MAKE AND LET


The verbs make and let are followed by an object and the bare infinitive (e.g., go, work, see)
 We use make to talk about something we have to do (but don’t want to do):
e.g. She wanted to go home, but her boss made her stay until the work was finished.
She made me say sorry.

 We use let when we talk about being given permission for something:
e.g. My boss let me have the afternoon off to go to my sister’s wedding.
Dad let me keep the cat.

 The verb help can be followed by an infinitive with or without to:


Could you help me (to) put these boxes in the van.

7. VERBS OF PERCEPTION
The verb of perception (see, watch, notice, hear, listen, feel) are followed by bare infinitive or by -
ing form (present participle).
 If we want to say that we heard or saw the whole action from beginning to end, we usually use
bare infinitive:
e.g. I saw him sign the cheque.

 If we want to say that only saw or heard part of the action, we use -ing form:
e.g. I saw the consultant waiting in reception.
(=I saw the consultant. He was waiting in reception.)
C. -ing and infinitive (3): changes in meaning
C. -ing and infinitive (3): changes in meaning
8. VERB + -ING OR INFINITIVE?
Some verbs can be followed by either -ing form or the infinitive and the meaning of the verb changes.
Here are some common examples:

I remember sending them the cheque. I sent and I can remember now that did it.
I remembered to send them the cheque. I remembered, and then I sent it.

I will never forget meeting the President. I met him, and he impressed me.
I won’t forget to give her your message. I have made a note of it, and I will give it to her when I see her.

We have stopped dealing with that firm. We used to deal with them, but we don't deal with them anymore.
At 12.00 we stopped to have a break. We stopped for a break.

I regret saying that I was not interested in the work. I said I was not interested in the work, and I now think that was a bad mistake.
I regret to say that we will not be able to give you a I am sorry that I have to say this.
contract.

If the printer doesn’t work, try turning everything off Do this and see what happens.
and then starting again.
I will try to negotiate a better deal. I will make an effort to do this.

This advertisement needs redesigning. This advertisement needs to be redesigned.


We need to increase productivity It’s necessary to increase productivity.

I hate flying. I do not like this activity.


I hate to tell you this. I am sorry to tell you this.

I like swimming every day. I enjoy the activity. It gives me pleasure.


I like to swim every day. I think it is a good idea to do this.
C. -ing and infinitive (3): changes in meaning

9. LIKE AND WOULD LIKE


When the verb like means enjoy, it’s followed by the -ing form. However, the expression would like
(want to) is followed by the infinitive.
I like going abroad on marketing trips. (I enjoy this.)
I would like to go more often.(I want to go more often.)
We can also use prefer and would prefer in the same way.
I prefer working at home to working at the office. (I enjoy this more.)

10. TO + -ING OR INFINITIVE?


The word to can be part of infinitive (I want to see you). However, in the following examples, to is a
preposition, so it is followed by the -ing form:

look forward to object to, an objection to be used to, get used to


react to, a reaction to in addition to respond to, a respond to

I look forward to meeting you next week.

Prepositions (e.g., in, on, at, with, from, etc.) are always followed by the -ing form rather than infinitive.
Here are some examples of verbs followed by preposition and -ing:

He specialises in helping children.


Michael is thinking about cooking dinner.

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