VERB PATTERNS
VERB + TO-INFINITIVE
agree, aim, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, beg, can’t afford, can’t wait, choose, claim, decide, demand, desire, expect, fail, guarantee, happen, help, hope, manage, offer, plan, prepare, pretend, promise, prove, refuse, seem, tend, threaten, turn out, undertake, want, wish
I expect to pass the exam.
She agreed to work late in the office.
We can’t afford to go to Australia.
Are you hoping to get a job in London?
He offered to help us when we move house.
She seems to be quite annoyed.
Andrew seems to be studying harder these days.
David appeared to have hurt himself.
Some people choose not to get married.
I managed not to lose my temper.
VERB + ING-FORM
admit, avoid, can’t face, can’t help, can’t resist, can’t stand, carry on, consider, delay, deny, detest, dislike, enjoy, excuse, fancy, finish, give up, imagine, involve, justify, keep on, mention, mind, postpone, practise, put off, resent, risk, save, suggest, tolerate
I usually avoid driving in the rush hour.
Have you finished typing that letter.
I don’t enjoy playing musical instruments.
Eve doesn’t mind working hard.
I can’t stand waiting in a queue.
Mike keeps ringing Sue and asking her out.
Imagine not having anywhere to live.
The boy admitted not doing the homework.
VERB + TO-INFINITIVE OR VERB + ING-FORM (no change in meaning)
begin, bother, continue, intend, propose, start
I started to learn / started learning English ten years ago.
She didn’t bother to do / bother doing the washing-up.
VERB + TO-INFINITIVE OR VERB + ING-FORM (change in meaning)
forget, go on, like, mean, need, regret, remember, stop, try
An old man walking along the road stopped to talk to us.
There’s too much noise. Can you all stop talking, please?
I must remember to post this letter today. It’s very important.
I can remember posting the letter. I posted it on Friday.
I’m trying to do this exercise, but it’s very difficult.