6b Verb patterns

Verb patterns.

• verb + to infinitive
We couldn’t afford to take a vacation this year.

Other verbs include: expect, fail, pretend, seem, tend, want.

When one verb follows another, we use different verb patterns:

Open Ended

Complete the sentence: I can't afford ______ .

The teacher encouraged them to work harder.

Other verbs include: advise, force, require, want, warn.

• verb + object + to infinitive

My manager let me leave early today.

Other verbs include: help, see, hear.

• verb + object + infinitive (without to)

Multiple Choice

It's a race that requires runners _____ 161 kilometers ...

• to run

• run

Multiple Choice

... those are the things that can make you ____ sick ...

• to feel

• feel

Don’t risk parking your car here.
Other verbs include: avoid, dislike, mention, miss,

recommend, suggest.

• verb + -ing form

Open Ended

Write about something you avoid doing. "I avoid _____ing..."

The customer complained about receiving the delivery two months after the order.

Other verbs include: insist on, rely on, succeeded in, think about, worry about.

• verb + preposition + -ing form

The neighbor accused him of throwing trash into his garden.

Other verbs include: blame (someone) for, criticize (someone) for, discourage (someone) from, prevent (someone) from.

• verb + object + preposition + -ing form

Reorder

Reorder the following

• Didn’t you

• worry

• about

• doing

• yourself real damage?

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Reorder

Reorder the following

• ... that shouldn't

• discourage

• us

• from

• exercising

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Multiple Choice

These athletes risk _____ the joints in their legs, but they can avoid _____ long-term by wearing the right shoes.

• damage - get

• damaging - getting

• to damage - getting

Multiple Choice

Since their sport relies so heavily on ______ their arms, these

people tend to______

problems with their elbows and wrists.

• use - have

• using - having

• using - have

Multiple Choice

Because these athletes pull muscles so often,

they are encouraged _______ properly before a game to prevent such injuries ________.

• to warm up - from occurring

• warming up - to occur

• to warm up - to occur