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Verb Patterns

After common verbs, do you need -ing or to? Learn the pattern for each verb so you stop guessing.

10 micro-lessons

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Which Version Is Right?

Eight pairs. What follows the verb — -ing, to, or nothing?

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Which is correct?

The Verb Decides What Follows

Three groups, and the one test that resolves the two everybody gets wrong.

The verb in front decides the shape behind

When one verb follows another, the first verb decides what shape the second one takes. There is no meaning-based rule — it is a property of the first verb.

The eight patterns fall into three groups:

Group 1 — takes -ing: enjoy · avoid · spend time · look forward to · be used to
Group 2 — takes someone + to + verb: allow
Group 3 — takes someone + bare verb, no "to": make · let

I enjoy reading. · They allowed us to leave. · They let us choose.

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The Verb and Its Tail

Three shapes a verb can demand after it.

Three panels, each showing a socket of a distinct shape with only the matching plug fitting it, labelled with a verb and the form it demands.

Click to zoom

The verb in front is the socket. Only one shape fits it.

Sort by What Follows

Twelve verbs, three shapes. Which does each one demand?

Sort each item into the correct category

Takes -ing

Takes to + verb

Takes someone + bare verb

Unassigned

enjoy

avoid

spend time

look forward to

be used to

consider

allow someone

manage

want

decide

make someone

let someone

Is That "To" a Preposition

Three sentences, and the test that tells you which kind of "to" you are looking at.

For each sentence, try putting a plain noun after the "to". If that works, the "to" is a preposition and you need -ing. Then supply the form.

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Chain 1

The sentence: I look forward ___ ___ from you soon. (the verb is "hear")

Test — does "I look forward to the weekend" work?

So the form of "hear" is:

Chain 2

The sentence: I want ___ ___ from you soon. (the verb is "hear")

Test — does "I want to the weekend" work?

So the form of "hear" is:

Chain 3

The sentence: After six months I am used ___ ___ late. (the verb is "work")

Test — does "I am used to the noise" work?

So the form of "work" is:

Complete with the Right Form

Eight sentences. The verb is given — you supply its shape.

Put the verb in brackets into the right form. Some need -ing, some need "to" plus the verb, and some need the bare verb on its own.

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I really enjoy (cook) at the weekend, when there is no hurry.
She avoids (travel) during the school holidays.
We look forward to (welcome) you next month.
He spends most of his evenings (study) for the exam.
My parents allowed me (choose) my own subjects.
The film made me (think) about my own childhood.
They let us (leave) an hour early on Fridays.
After two years in the city I am used to (be) woken by traffic.

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