verb patterns.pdf

7/27/2019 Verb Patterns.pdf

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Infinitive or ing?

1. verb + verba to infinitive onlyI want to go to the cinema.

I want you to do your homework.

Verb + to Infinitive ExamplesAim, arrange, attempt, cant afford,

claim, decide, deserve, hope, intend,learn, long, manage, offer, plan,

prepare, refuse, seem, tend, threaten,vote, wish

I aim to please. I managed tobeat him at poker.

Verb + (object) + toInfinitive

Examples

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

She wants me to go to theparty.

I chose you to help me out.


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Verb + object + toInfinitive

Examples

allow, challenge, enable,

encourage, force, inspire,invite, order, remind, teach,

train, trust, urge

My parents taught me to

respect other people. They allowed her to have the

afternoon off.

2. verb + verba ing onlyI enjoy studying English.

I dread my friends finding out about my secret.

Verb + -ing form Examples

Adore, avoid, cant stand, cant

help, consider, delay, deny,describe, detest, dislike, dont

mind, dread, enjoy, fancy, finish,imagine, keep, miss, practise,

resent, resist, risk, spend, waste

I never waste time ironingmy clothes.

My family always avoidstalking to me.


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3. verb + verba bare infinitive [without to]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]

Infinitive & ing

4. verb + verba 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.


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5. verb + verba to infinitive or ing[with change in meaning]

B. TryTry studying.

Try and study.Try to study.

C. Love / Like / HateI hate paying bills.

I like to pay my bills on thedeadline.

A. StopI stopped smoking.I stopped to smoke.

I remember going to Rioat Carnival.

I remembered to buy asouvenir there.

Ill never forget talking to herevery evening.

I forgot to send her a birthdaypost on Facebook.

D. Remember / Forget


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E. RegretI regret having (had) my tongue pierced.I regret to inform you that you have failed the exam.

F. MeanBuying this house means paying a high mortgage.

Do you mean to get married?Special Cases

1. PreferI 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 = would rather


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We had better not be late for the Ambassadors party. Itwould 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.

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 bettera used to suggest necessary action (slightly threatening

in tone; more urgent than should or ought to)

2. Hear / See / WatchWe watched all the cars cross the finishing line.

I heard someone coming up the stairs.


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3. Used toI used to go to clubs.

[Past Habits] = used to + verb to infinitive

But:I am / got used to driving long distances.

[Present Habits] = get / be + used to + -ing form

4. DareDare 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 speaklike that to me!

verb patterns.pdf

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