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English Verb Patterns Guide

1. Certain verbs are followed by the infinitive with "to" or the -ing form of the verb. Verbs like "want", "aim", and "manage" are followed by "to", while verbs like "enjoy" and "dread" are followed by the -ing form. 2. Some verbs can be followed by either the infinitive with "to" or the -ing form, but the meaning may change depending on which is used. For example, "stop to smoke" and "stop smoking" have different meanings. 3. There are special cases for verbs like "prefer", "would rather", "used to", and "dare" regarding whether they are

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4K views7 pages

English Verb Patterns Guide

1. Certain verbs are followed by the infinitive with "to" or the -ing form of the verb. Verbs like "want", "aim", and "manage" are followed by "to", while verbs like "enjoy" and "dread" are followed by the -ing form. 2. Some verbs can be followed by either the infinitive with "to" or the -ing form, but the meaning may change depending on which is used. For example, "stop to smoke" and "stop smoking" have different meanings. 3. There are special cases for verbs like "prefer", "would rather", "used to", and "dare" regarding whether they are

Uploaded by

Karina Fernandes
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Infinitive or ing?

1. verb + verb a to infinitive only


I want to go to the cinema. I want you to do your homework. I aim to please. I managed to beat him at poker.

Aim, arrange, attempt, cant afford, claim, decide, deserve, hope, intend, learn, long, manage, offer, plan, prepare, refuse, seem, tend, threaten, vote, wish

Verb + to Infinitive

Examples

Verb + (object) + to Infinitive


choose, expect, help, need, pay, want, would like

Examples
She wants me to go to the party. I chose you to help me out.

Verb + object + to Infinitive


allow, challenge, enable, encourage, force, inspire, invite, order, remind, teach, train, trust, urge

Examples
My parents taught me to respect other people. They allowed her to have the afternoon off.

2.

verb + verb a ing only

I enjoy studying English. I dread my friends finding out about my secret.

Adore, avoid, cant stand, cant I never waste time ironing help, consider, delay, deny, my clothes. describe, detest, dislike, dont My family always avoids mind, dread, enjoy, fancy, finish, talking to me. imagine, keep, miss, practise, resent, resist, risk, spend, waste

Verb + -ing form

Examples

3.

Let me help you (to) do the exercise. When I was a kid, they made me wear a uniform. [Active Voice] But: I was made to wear a uniform. [Passive Voice]

verb + verb a bare infinitive [without to]

Infinitive & ing


4. verb + verb a to infinitive or ing [without change in meaning]
I began / started / continued to study / studying French. They didnt bother to talk / talking to the boss.

5. A.

I stopped smoking. I stopped to smoke.

verb + verb a to infinitive or ing [with change in meaning] Stop B. C. Love / Like / Hate

Try studying. Try and study. Try to study.

Try

I hate paying bills. I like to pay my bills on the deadline.

D.

Remember / Forget

I remember going to Rio at Carnival. I remembered to buy a souvenir there.

Ill never forget talking to her every evening. I forgot to send her a birthday post on Facebook.

E.

I regret having (had) my tongue pierced. I regret to inform you that you have failed the exam. Buying this house means paying a high mortgage. Do you mean to get married?

Regret

F.

Mean

Special Cases
1.
I prefer chocolate to coffee. She seems to prefer watching soap operas to talking to me. I would prefer to see a movie rather than stay/staying at home.

Prefer

prefer = would rather

I would rather watch a video than go to the cinema. I would rather be lying on a beach than working. I would rather not go out this evening, if you don't mind. I would rather you did something.

would rather = had better a used to suggest necessary action (slightly threatening in tone; more urgent than should or ought to)
We had better not be late for the Ambassadors party. It would be unforgivable to arrive late. You had better phone him and tell him that you're not going. They had better buy me a Christmas present or I shall never forgive them.

2.

Hear / See / Watch

We watched all the cars cross the finishing line. I heard someone coming up the stairs.

3.
But:

Used to

I used to go to clubs. [Past Habits] = used to + verb to infinitive

I am / got used to driving long distances. [Present Habits] = get / be + used to + -ing form

4.

Dare can be used without to when there is no object. Compare: They dared him to jump. I didn't dare (to) say anything. How dare you speak like that to me!

Dare

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