Verb patterns
Often verbs may have infinitive(base) or gerund(ing) form independently of a gramatical tense. Let's explore when it happens and why!
Table of Contents
1.Gerund (-ing form)
1.1Gerund as a subject of a sentence
If you want to talk about activity overall and this activity is your subject of a sentence, use gerund! Here's a table that shows how we use the gerund form as the subject of a sentence. The gerund acts as the main focus or "doer" of the action.
| Gerund (Verb + ing) | Example Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Eating | Eating vegetables is healthy. | The act of eating vegetables benefits health. |
| Swimming | Swimming in the ocean is refreshing. | Swimming in the ocean has a refreshing effect. |
| Learning | Learning new languages is fun. | The activity of learning new languages is enjoyable. |
| Running | Running every day builds stamina. | The habit of running daily helps build physical strength. |
| Reading | Reading improves vocabulary skills. | Engaging in reading helps improve vocabulary skills. |
| Traveling | Traveling expands your worldview. | Going to new places broadens one’s understanding. |
| Dancing | Dancing can be a great workout. | The activity of dancing is beneficial for physical health. |
| In each sentence, the gerund (verb + ing) acts as the subject, focusing on the activity itself. This form is commonly used to talk about activities in general, or about habits, skills, and hobbies. |
Practice Examples
(Read) _____ books helps expand your vocabulary
(Volunteer) _____ at local shelters helps the community
(Work) _____ from home has become increasingly common
1.2Gerund after certain Verbs
Oftentimes we need to talk about two different activities in one sentence done by one person, and after certain verbs you must use gerund! Here are examples of sentences where certain verbs are followed by gerunds (verb + ing). These verbs commonly require the gerund form rather than the infinitive.
| Verb + Gerund | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| acknowledge + (verb + ing) | He acknowledged making a mistake. | "Acknowledge" takes gerund when accepting past actions. |
| appreciate + (verb + ing) | I appreciate hearing your feedback. | Use gerund after "appreciate" to express gratitude. |
| contemplate + (verb + ing) | She's contemplating leaving her job. | Gerund follows "contemplate" for deep thinking about actions. |
| detest + (verb + ing) | They detest waking up early. | Use gerund after "detest" to express strong dislike. |
| fancy + (verb + ing) | Do you fancy going out tonight? | "Fancy" takes gerund in British English for suggestions. |
| mention + (verb + ing) | She mentioned visiting Paris last summer. | Gerund follows "mention" when referring to activities. |
| resent + (verb + ing) | He resents working overtime. | Use gerund after "resent" to show negative feelings. |
| risk + (verb + ing) | Don't risk losing your passport. | Gerund follows "risk" for possible negative outcomes. |
| tolerate + (verb + ing) | I can't tolerate being late. | Use gerund after "tolerate" for acceptance of situations. |
| warrant + (verb + ing) | The situation warrants calling the police. | Gerund follows "warrant" when justifying actions. |
| avoid + (verb + ing) | He avoids speaking in public. | Use gerund after "avoid" to express what you don't want to do. |
| consider + (verb + ing) | They are considering moving to Canada. | "Consider" takes gerund when thinking about possible actions. |
| finish + (verb + ing) | I just finished reading this book. | Use gerund after "finish" to show completion of an action. |
| quit + (verb + ing) | He quit smoking last year. | Use gerund after "quit" to indicate stopping a habit. |
Practice Examples
She mentioned (meet) _____ him at the conference
Do you fancy (go) _____ to the beach this weekend?
He resents (pay) _____ such high taxes
1.3Gerund after prepositions
After prepositions(Before, after, in, on, at, during, etc.) we usually use gerund. Here are examples of sentences where gerunds (verb + ing) are used after prepositions.
| Preposition + Gerund | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| interested in | She is interested in learning French. | "Learning" follows "in" to show her interest. |
| good at | He is good at solving puzzles. | "Solving" follows "at" to show his skill. |
| excited about | They are excited about going on vacation. | "Going" follows "about" to express excitement. |
| worried about | She is worried about failing the test. | "Failing" follows "about" to show what concerns her. |
| afraid of | He is afraid of flying. | "Flying" follows "of" to show his fear. |
| tired of | I am tired of waiting. | "Waiting" follows "of" to show what has become tiring. |
| insist on | They insist on paying for dinner. | "Paying" follows "on" to show determination. |
| talk about | We talked about starting a new project. | "Starting" follows "about" to show the topic discussed. |
| think about | She is thinking about changing her job. | "Changing" follows "about" to show her consideration. |
| succeed in | He succeeded in finding a new apartment. | "Finding" follows "in" to show what he accomplished. |
Practice Examples
She's excited about (go) _____ to Paris next month
They succeeded in (complete) _____ the project early
They insisted on (wait) _____ for everyone to arrive
2.To+Infinitive
2.1After Certain Verbs
We use To+infinitive after some verbs, in order to indicate different things, here's a non-exhaustive list of some of them.
| Verb + to + Infinitive | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| agree + to + (verb) | They agreed to meet at noon. | Shows acceptance to do something. |
| decide + to + (verb) | She decided to study harder. | Shows a choice or decision. |
| want + to + (verb) | I want to visit my family. | Indicates a desire or wish. |
| plan + to + (verb) | We plan to travel in December. | Shows intention or planning. |
| afford + to + verb | They can't afford to buy a new car. | Use infinitive after "afford" for financial ability. |
| arrange + to + verb | We arranged to meet at the café. | Infinitive follows "arrange" for planned actions. |
| claim + to + verb | He claims to know the secret. | Use infinitive after "claim" for stated abilities/actions. |
| consent + to + verb | She consented to participate in the study. | Infinitive follows "consent" for formal agreement. |
| deserve + to + verb | You deserve to succeed after all your hard work. | Use infinitive after "deserve" for earned outcomes. |
| hesitate + to + verb | Don't hesitate to ask for help. | Infinitive follows "hesitate" for uncertain actions. |
| manage + to + verb | They managed to solve the problem. | Use infinitive after "manage" for achieved actions. |
| proceed + to + verb | The speaker proceeded to explain the concept. | Infinitive follows "proceed" for sequential actions. |
| swear + to + verb | I swear to tell the truth. | Use infinitive after "swear" for promises/oaths. |
| volunteer + to + verb | She volunteered to lead the project. | Infinitive follows "volunteer" for offered actions. |
Practice Examples
She wants (become) _____ a professional photographer.
They decide (travel) _____ to Europe next summer.
She wants (learn) _____ a new language.
2.2After question words
When we want to clarify the intention behind the question, indicating what action, place, time, reason, or method is being inquired about we often use to+infinitive with a question word, as in:
| Question Word | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| What | Used to indicate the action or activity. | I don't know what to do. |
| Where | Used to indicate the destination or place. | Can you tell me where to go? |
| When | Used to indicate the time or moment. | She asked when to leave. |
| Why | Used to indicate the reason. | I want to understand why to proceed. |
| How | Used to indicate the method or manner. | Please show me how to start. |
Practice Examples
I wonder where (go) _____ for our next vacation.
Please explain why (study) _____ this subject is important.
Let me know how much (spend) _____ on this project.
2.3After some Adjectives
After certain adjectives that show attitude or feeling about something it is common to use infinitive form to express the emotions
| Adjective | Usage and Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| happy | To express a positive feeling: She was happy to see her friend again. | The adjective "happy" is followed by "to see," indicating a positive reaction to the action. |
| eager | To show strong desire or interest : He is eager to learn new things. | "Eager" expresses a strong desire followed by the action of "to learn." |
| anxious | To express worry or concern : They are anxious to hear the results. | "Anxious" indicates a concern about the outcome expressed by "to hear." |
| ready | To indicate preparedness : I am ready to start the project. | "Ready" shows willingness followed by the action "to start." |
| willing | To indicate readiness to do something : She is willing to help with the assignment. | "Willing" conveys a readiness to assist, followed by "to help." |
| surprised | To indicate unexpected feelings : He was surprised to find out the truth. | "Surprised" is used to express an unexpected reaction to "to find out." |
| likely | To express probability : It’s likely to rain tomorrow. | "Likely" suggests a strong chance, leading to the action "to rain." |
| difficult | To express a challenge : The exam was difficult to complete. | "Difficult" describes the challenge of the action "to complete." |
| proud | To indicate satisfaction : She is proud to represent her country. | "Proud" conveys satisfaction with the action of "to represent." |
| afraid | To express fear : He is afraid to speak in public. | "Afraid" shows fear about the action "to speak." |
Practice Examples
She is happy (receive) _____ good news.
We are ready (begin) _____ the project.
It is likely (rain) _____ this afternoon.
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