verb patterns: infinitive and gerund

VERB PATTERNSInfinitive & Gerund

INFINITIVEWith or without TO

1. I am going to the supermarket to get some fruit.

2. You cannot afford to buy that car.

3. I am afraid to meet him again.

4. Her parents didn’t let her go.

5. It is impossible to speak Chinese in two months.

6. I am calling to tell you the truth.

7. I am pleased to say that you are the winner.

8. It is important to learn foreign languages.

9. He wants to tell you what really happened.

10.You make me feel young.How

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INFINITIVE OF PURPOSE

VERB + TO INFINITIVE

VERB + (-TO) INFINITIVE

ADJECTIVE + TO INFINITIVE

IT + BE+ ADJECTIVE + TO INF

I am going to the supermarket to get some fruit.

I am calling to tell you the truth.

INFINITIVE OF PURPOSE

I turned on the TV to watch the news.

I went for a walk by the river to get some fresh air.

Sheila went to the airport to meet her parents.

OTHER EXAMPLES

VERB + TO INFINITIVE

You cannot afford to buy that car.

He wants to tell you what really happened.

OTHER EXAMPLES

I would like to go to New York soon.

He decided to apply for the job.

She managed to get there on time.

VERB + (-TO) INFINITIVE

Her parents didn’t let her go.

You make me feel young.

OTHER EXAMPLES

You must attend your classes everyday.

They can go there after lunch.

She should call the doctor.

ADJECTIVE + TO INFINITIVE

I am afraid to meet him again.

I am pleased to say that you are the winner.

OTHER EXAMPLES

I am so happy to see you again!

Are you ready to start?

I am sorry to hear that you are not coming.

IT + BE + ADJECTIVE + TO INF

It is impossible to speak Chinese in two months.

It is important to learn foreign languages.

OTHER EXAMPLES

It is too late to call them now.

It is impossible to find a solution to this problem now.

GERUND

1. Learning foreign languages is important.

2. I really like walking in the mountains.

3. He is really interested in getting that job.

4. He left the room without saying a word.

5. Jim suggested going to the cinema.

6. Smoking is bad for your health.

7. I look forward to hearing from you.

8. After reading the book, he wrote a wonderful review.

How

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GERUND = SUBJECT

FIXED EXPRESSIONS +GERUND

VERB + GERUND

PREPOSITION + GERUND

GERUND = SUBJECT

Learning foreign languages is important.

Smoking is bad for your health.

OTHER EXAMPLES

Reading is great fun.

Cooking is not difficult.

FIXED EXPRESSIONS + GERUND

He’s really interested in getting that job.

I look forward to hearing from you.

OTHER EXAMPLES

What about going to the beach?

It’s worth going there to enjoy the sights.

VERB + GERUND

I really like walking in the mountains.

Jim suggested going to the cinema.

OTHER EXAMPLES

I hate working at weekends.

I really enjoy reading a good detective story.

PREPOSITION + GERUND

He left the room without saying a word.

After reading the book, he wrote a wonderful review.

OTHER EXAMPLES

He is really good at telling jokes.

We stayed at home instead of going out.

YOUR TURN

Max and Tara were high school classmates. They didn´t know each other very well but Max found Tara really beautiful. Too beautiful for him. He couldn´t imagine … (ask) her out. But he wasn´t planning … (give) up. Max decided … (send) Tara a friend request on Facebook. She soon confirmed him as a friend. Happy Max tried … (write) her a message but Tara didn´t want … (reply). So he looked at all her likes and started … (post) interesting things on her wall. Tara enjoyed … (read) his posts and comments and they soon started … (chat) with each other. One day Tara had a problem with a project at school and Max gladly offered … (help) her. Max didn´t forget … (bring) CDs with her favorite band. They had a good time so Tara promised … (go) to the cinema with Max when he asked her. Soon they started … (go) out with each other and their relationship became public when they changed their Facebook status.

MODERN LOVE STORY