VERB PATTERNS

VERB PATTERNS

1. Different verbs have different patterns, so the structure of the clause depends on the verb, for this, we have two kinds of verbs (Dynamic and Static verbs)

   • Stative Verbs
     • They refer to a state or condition which is static
       • Examples:
         • Hate
           • I hate Monday mornings
         • Mind
           • I don't mind
         • Have
           • I have a cat
   • Dynamic Verbs
     • Describe things that have a definite beginning and an end
       • Examples
         • Walk
           • I'm walking
         • Run
           • I'm running
         • Sleep
           • I'm sleeping

2. When a verb is followed by another verb, the second verb depends on the first verb. And in this point we have the following cases:

   • Verb + ING
     • Examples:
       • Imagine
         • I can't imagine living without music.
       • Spend time
         • Tommy spends too much time playing computer games
       • Give up
         • I've given up trying to help her.
       • Keep
         • She keeps changing her mind about the wedding.
   • Verb + to + infinitive
     • Examples:
       • Decide
         • We decided to go to Hawaii.
       • Hope
         • She hopes to go to university next year.
       • Learn
         • My mother never learnt to swim.
       • Forget
         • I forgot to bring my lunch today.
   • Verb + object + to + infinitive
     • Examples
       • Advice
         • I advised him to get a job as soon as possible.
       • Teach
         • Did Martin teach Gary to play squash?
       • Want
         • They want me to go to Germany with them.
   • Verbs change their meaning when they are followed by a Gerund or an Infinitive
     • Verb + ing/to
       • Examples
         • Change in the meaning
           • Remember
             • I remember switching off the lights when I went on holiday. Gerund: looks back in the past
             • Remember to switch off the lights when you go on holiday. Infinitive: Looks into the future
           • Regret
             • I regret being late for school. Gerund: you did sth in the past and you are not happy about it
             • We regret to inform you that the flight has beeen delayed for another two hours. Infinitive:to tell bad news and you are not happy about it
         • Slightly different meaning
           • I like riding my bike. Use the Gerund when like is used in the sense of 'enjoy'.
           • I like to do my homework in the afternoon Use the Infinitive when you do sth. in the sense of a habit..
         • No change in meaning
           • Begin, Continue, Intend and Start
   • Verb + object + infinitive
     • Examples
       • Help
         • I’ll help you move the table
       • Let
         • Please, let me go
       • Make
         • She made me do the chocolate cake

3. Ma. Elizabeth López Jiménez 4D

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