Verb patterns

When we use two verbs together, the form of the second verb usually depends on the first verb:
start singing; decided to make; can’t celebrate; tell their children to make; make it shine, etc.
This is called a verb pattern.
start like begin love keep + verb + ing
enjoy finish mind prefer (doing)
hate continue
decide remember forget try + infinitive with to
start like begin love need (to do)
would like want plan prefer
hate continue learn seem
can might could should + infinitive
would will must would rather (do)
tell ask help allow teach + object + infinitive with to
would like want pay (somebody/something to do)
make help let + object + infinitive
(somebody/something do)

The verbs in blue in the table have more than one verb pattern. Both verb patterns have the
same meaning: I started to write and email = I started writing an email.

In British English, like/love/hate + veb + ing is more common: I like/love/hate watching golf. In
American English, like/love/hate + infinitive with to is more common: I like to watch golf.