Verb Patterns

Verb Patterns

When and how to use them?

Verb + -ing or to + infinitive

Some verbs are followed by verb + ing (e.g. enjoy, mind, keep, admit, recommend, suggest)

• She didn't mind working late

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The negative form is not + verb + -ing

• I enjoyed not cooking for a chance

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Other verbs are followed by to + infinitive (e.g. want, promise, hope, agree, offer, need, refuse threaten, plan)

• They thretened to tell the police

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Some verbs can be followed by both patterns (e.g. start, begin, continue) with no change of meaning

• People started arriving an hour ago

• He started to feel angry

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Some verbs can be followed by both patterns, but the meanign changes (e.g. try, forget, remember)

• I tried reading some reviews online, but it didn't help much.

• I tried to read some reviews online, but my internet connection wasn't working.

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Some verbs need an object before to + infinitive (e.g. advise, invite, ask, remind, tell, want)

• They warned me not to tell anyone

• I've invited your parents to visit us

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Other uses of verb + -ing

When a verb comes after a preposition (e.g. about, by, of) the verb is always in the -ing form

• I'm worried about not being good enough

• They escaped by breaking a window

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Other uses of to + infinitive

Infinitive or purpose

• I went online to read the news

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Adjective + to + infinitive

• I was relieved to see I wasn't late

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Verb + question word + to + infinitive

• I don't know where to go or who to ask

Open Ended

Can you make your own example?

The End

Complement with exercises on page 147