Sometimes in a sentence, one verb follows another. For example, I want to buy an electric car. The first verb is 'want', the second verb is 'buy'.
In sentences like this, there are different possible patterns. For example:
(a) I want to buy an electric car.
(b) I hate driving.
In sentence A, the first verb is followed by an infinitive (to + verb).
In sentence B, the first verb is followed by a gerund (verb + -ing).
The verb patterns are dependent upon the first verb. There are several different types of pattern. When you learn a new verb, you need to learn the verb pattern. Unfortunately, some verbs have more than one possible pattern! Sometimes, if a verb has two patterns, each pattern can have a different meaning or use.
Here are examples of some of the patterns:
| Verb Pattern | Structure | Examples |
| verb + infinitive | This is one of the most common verb combination forms. ( want, hope, decide, agree..) | I waited to begin dinner. They wanted to come to the party. |
| verb+ verb (ing) | This is one of the most common verb combination forms. (enjoy, mind, consider ...) | They enjoyed listening to the music. They regretted spending so much time on the project. |
| verb + verb (ing) OR verb+ infinitive - no change in meaning | Some verbs can combine with other verbs using both forms without changing the basic meaning of the sentence. (start, begin...) | She started to eat dinner. OR She started eating dinner. |
| verb +verb (ing) OR verb+infinitive - change in meaning | Some verbs can combine with other verbs using both forms. However, with these verbs, there is a change in the basic meaning of the sentence. (regret, stop...) | They stopped speaking to each other. => They don't speak to each other anymore. They stopped to speak to each other. => They stopped walking in order to speak to each other. I regret to tell you this =>I am sorry to tell you this I regret leaving London => I left London in the past, and I am sorry that I did that |
| verb+object+ infinitive | This is the most common form when a verb is followed by both an object and a verb. (want, need, ask, beg...) | She asked her to find a place to stay. They instructed them to open the envelope. |
| verb+object+base form (infinitive without 'to') | This form is used with a few verbs (let, help and make). | She made her finish her homework. They let him go to the concert. He helped him paint the house. |
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| To have the a list of verb patterns check the appendix in your student book |
PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE....
This could be:
a) Read texts paying attention to the verb patterns and underline them,
b) Write sentences that are significant for you (funny sentences or sentnces about your friends and family) so they will be easy to remember,
c) Do exercises on line.
e) Carry a photocopy and study it when commuting by metro or microbus :D
http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=verb-patterns
http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/headway/intermediate/a_grammar/unit06/hwy_int_unit06_2/
http://www.learn-english-today.com/wordgames/hotpot-quizzes/verb-patterns1.html
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