VERB PATTERNS - INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS

VERB PATTERNS

FULL INFINITIVE

THE FULL INFINITIVE IS USED

• To express purpose. I went to the post office to post some letters.
• After it + be + adjective (it's nice, it was stupid etc) It was great to see you after such a long time.
• After too and enough. Laura is too tired to go jogging today. It isn't warm enough to go to the sea yet.

THE FULL INFINITIVE IS USED

• After certain verbs ( afford, agree, appear, decide, forget, hope, learn, manage, need, offer, plan, promise, refuse, seem, tend, want, would like, choose, expect etc... ) I hope to see you again soon.

• After question words (how, what, when, where etc) I don't know what to do.

THE FULL INFINITIVE IS USED

• Some verbs are followed by a person + Infinitive They asked me to help them.

He told me to apply for the job.

• The infinitive is used after some adjectives.

It's impossible to save money. It's great to see you.

BARE INFINITIVE

THE BARE INFINITIVE IS USED

• After modal verbs ( can, may, must, should etc...) You should start thinking about your future.
• After the verbs let and make in the Active voice. My parents let me stay up later at weekends. Our teacher made us retake the test.
• After would rather and had better. I'd rather go to the cinema tonight. You'd better tell me everything you know about this.

ING FORMS OR GERUNDS

THE ING FORM IS USED ( GERUND)

• As the subject of a verb. Exercising is a good way of keeping fit.
• After the verb go, indicating physycal activities. We often go fishing in the summer.
• After certain verbs (avoid, enjoy, finish, hate, imagine, keep, spend (time) suggest, consider, don't mind, etc)
• Martin suggested going to the theatre on Friday.

THE ING FORM IS USED ( GERUND)

• After prepositions ( for, about, without, etc)

I'm so excited about going to university next year. * Some verbs are followed by an objet + ing I hate people telling me what to do. You can't stop me doing what I want.

THERE ARE SOME VERBS THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED BY GERUND OR INFINITIVE:LOVE ContinueLIKEHATE STARTI like playing football after work. I like to get up early at weekends I love watching horror movies I love to go to the movies at weekends.

VERB + INFINITIVE OR GERUND WITH A CHANGE OF MEANING:RememberI remenber giving the message when I saw her. Please remember to give her the message when you see her.StopWe stopped walking. We stopped to have a rest. Other verbs: