LESSON 1: VERB PATTERNS

Verb patterns: the way two consecutive verbs are organized in a sentence.

For example, “I want to buy a house”. The first verb is 'want', the second verb is 'buy'.
There are different types of verb patterns.

1) Verb + to Infinitive: two consecutive verbs in infinitive in present tense.

Express desire or intent to do an activity.
Subject + Verb + To Infintive + Complement
I WANT TO BUY A CAR.

Other verbs that fit this pattern: Love, like, want, hope, decide, agree, forget,
remember, choose, learn, arrange, mean, plan, prefer, refuse, help, fail, try, wait,
intend, pretend, deserve.
E.g.:
I forget to tell you.
Mary learns to play poker.
He wants to work with Dr. Phil.
Helen decided to go out with Michael.
2) Verb + Infinitive (without To): two consecutive verbs, without the word “to”
between them. Usually used with +modal auxiliary verbs.
Subject + Auxiliary verb + Main verb + Compliment
You should study for the exam.

Other verbs that fit this pattern: Can, must, might, should, could, will, would, let, make,
help, see, watch, near, notice, feel, sense.
3) Verb + gerund (-ing): the first verb is followed by a gerund (-ing form of a
verb). Used to express opinion or comment on activities.
Subject + Verb + Verb –ing + Compliment
I enjoy dancing with you.

Other verbs that fit this pattern: Enjoy, hate, dislike, detest, like, mind, consider, admit,
deny, imagine, remember, suggest, start, stop, avoid, begin, finish, keep, miss,
practice, risk.
 4) Verb + Preposition + Gerund: The first verb is followed by a preposition and
then another verb ending in –ing. Used to express opinion or comment on an
activity.
Subject + Verb + Preposition + Verb –ing
Jack talked about leaving his job.

Other verbs that fit this pattern: pray, specialise, think, apologize, approve, argue, ask,
decided, depend, disapprove, engage, discourage.
5) Verb + Object + Infinitive (with and without TO): Two consecutive verbs with
an object in between.
Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Pronoun + Main Verb
He makes me smile.

Other verbs that fit this pattern: Make, let, advice, command, hire, persuade,
threaten, allow, convince, instruct, prepare, urge, ask, enable, invite, promise,
want, beg, encourage, need, remind, warn, cause, expect, order, require, wish,
choose, force, permit, tell.

Some verbs have two possible patterns and there is a difference in meaning between
the patterns (like, hate, regret).
I like to swim every day (I think it is a good idea to do this).
I like swimming every day (I enjoy the activity; it gives me pleasure to do it).
I hate flying (I do not like this activity).
I hate to fly like this (I don’t like to fly when the weather is bad).