Verb Patterns

Different verbs are followed by different grammatical patterns.
Some verbs are followed by:

• a gerund (-ing)
• an infinitive (to + verb)
• an object + infinitive
• a preposition + gerund

It is important to:

• recognize common patterns
• use them accurately
• understand how meaning can change

1. What Is a Verb Pattern?

A verb pattern is the grammatical structure that follows a verb.
Compare:

• “She enjoys reading.”
• “She decided to leave.”

Both sentences are correct, but the structure after the verb is different.

2. Verb + Gerund (-ing)

Some verbs are followed by a gerund.

Structure

verb + gerund (-ing)

Common Verbs

• enjoy
• avoid
• consider
• suggest
• finish
• mind

Examples

• “I enjoy reading.”
• “She avoided answering the question.”
• “They suggested going earlier.”
• “Do you mind opening the window?”

Important: gerunds after prepositions

After a preposition, we usually use -ing. Be careful: to can be a preposition (look forward to seeing) or part of an infinitive (want to see).
Examples:

• “She is interested in learning languages.”
• “Thank you for helping me.”

3. Verb + Infinitive (to + verb)

Some verbs are followed by an infinitive.

Structure

verb + to + base verb

Common Verbs

• decide
• hope
• plan
• promise
• agree
• refuse

Examples

• “We decided to stay home.”
• “She hopes to study abroad.”
• “He refused to answer.”
• “They agreed to help us.”

4. Verb + Object + Infinitive

Some verbs are followed by:

• an object
• then an infinitive

Structure

verb + object + to + verb

Common Verbs

• ask
• tell
• want
• advise
• encourage
• invite

Examples

• “She asked me to help.”
• “They told us to wait.”
• “I want you to listen carefully.”
• “He encouraged her to apply.”

5. Verb + Gerund OR Infinitive (No Meaning Change)

Some verbs can be followed by both forms with little or no difference in meaning.

Common Verbs

• start
• begin
• continue
• like
• love
• hate

Examples

• “It started raining.”
• “It started to rain.”
• “She likes reading.”
• “She likes to read.”

Note: With like/love/hate, the choice can affect meaning.

• “I like swimming.” (general enjoyment/habit)
• “I like to swim in the morning.” (a choice or routine in a specific situation)

6. Verb + Gerund OR Infinitive (Meaning Changes)

Some verbs change meaning depending on the pattern.

6.1 Stop

stop + -ing

Quit an activity.

• “He stopped smoking.”

stop + infinitive

Pause one action to do another.

• “He stopped to smoke.”

6.2 Remember

remember + -ing

A memory from the past.

• “I remember meeting her.”

remember + infinitive

Not forget.

• “Remember to call me.”

6.3 Try

try + infinitive

Make an effort.

• “She tried to open the door.”

try + -ing

Experiment with a solution.

• “Try restarting the computer.”

7. Verb + Bare Infinitive

Some verbs are followed by the base verb without “to”.
This often happens after:

• modal verbs
• let
• make

Structure: modals

modal + base verb

Examples

• “You must leave now.”
• “She can speak French.”

Structure: causative/permission verbs

make/let + object + base verb

Examples

• “She made me apologize.”
• “Let him speak.”

8. Easy Way to Remember

Different verbs “choose” different grammar patterns.

• verb + -ing: enjoy, avoid → “I enjoy reading.”
• verb + to-infinitive: decide, hope → “We decided to stay.”
• verb + object + to-infinitive: tell, encourage → “They told us to wait.”
• verb + preposition + -ing: apologize for, insist on → “She apologized for being late.”
• modal + base verb: must/can → “You must leave now.”
• make/let + object + base verb: make/let → “She made me apologize.”