Verb Patterns

Verbs + -ing form

Some verb are followed by a –ing form if the next word is a verb :

Give up (=stop doing something for the last time)

Admit (If you admit something, you agree it is true, and usually it is something bad.)

Some verbs are followed by an infinitive if the next word is a verb:

We were very busy but we managed to finish before 6 p.m.

I asked her to carry the suitcases but she refused to help.

They promised to phone as soon as they arrive.

            There are two common verbs followed by an object + infinitive without ‘to’. They are :

            Make someone do something, and let someone do something.

My parents make me do my homework every night. (=they force me to do my homework)

My parents let me go out after I’ve done my homework.  (=they allow/permit me to go)

Some verbs can be followed by an –ing form or infinitive, but the meaning is very similar e.g. love, like, hate and prefer. But with some verbs there is a difference in meaning.

I remembered to buy a present for my brother. (= I didn’t forget to buy a present)

I remember buying her a present. (=isn’t in my memory; it happened and I remember)

Verb Patterns

A. Verb + Object

Subject                 Verb                            object

She                       proposed                     the plan                                   at the meeting

They                     discussed                     the film                                  for hours

 B. Verb + object + question word

Subject                 verb                             object                          Qw

I                           told                              them                            where              to find it.

She                       asked                           us                                 why                 we wanted it.\

Note: A common mistake is: ‘He explained me what to do.’ After explain + question word there is no direct object. We say: ‘he explained what to do/ what I had to do.’

C. Verb + object + infinitive

Subject                 verb                             object                          infinitive

Se                         asked                           everyone                      to leave

I                           wanted                          the others                    to help                         us

She                       warned                         them                            to be                careful

Warn = tell someone of a possible danger, and often tell them what they should(n’t) do.

D. Verb + (object) + (that) clause

Subject                 verb                             object                          (that) clause

He                         said                                  -                             (that) is was good

She                       warned                          me                             (that) it was dangerous

E. Verb + (object) + preposition

He insisted on paying for the hotel. (note: use the-ing form of the verb after a preposition)

The manager apologied (to the customer) for the bad service. (=the manager said sorry)