Verb pattern describe the grammatical structures that follow particular verbs. They help you decide whether the next verb should appear as a to-infinitive, a gerund, a bare infinitive, or another structure.
Learning these patterns is important because English verbs do not all behave in the same way. For example, we say decide to leave, enjoy reading, and make someone laugh. Choosing the wrong pattern can make a sentence grammatically incorrect or change its meaning.
What Are Verb Patterns?
Verb patterns are the structures that can follow a verb. The form of the second verb is usually determined by the first verb, so learners often need to study the pattern together with the verb itself.
For example, decide is commonly followed by a to-infinitive, while enjoy is followed by a gerund. Some verbs can also take an object before the second verb.
Example:
- They decided to leave early.
- She enjoys learning new languages.
- The teacher encouraged us to practice every day.
The core principle is simple: do not choose the form of the second verb only by meaning; check which grammatical pattern the first verb allows.
Common Verb Patterns in English
Several verb patterns occur frequently in everyday and academic English. Learning them by structure makes it easier to recognize how verbs behave in sentences.
Verb + to-infinitive
The pattern verb + to + base verb is common after verbs that express decisions, plans, intentions, hopes, attempts, or willingness. Common verbs include agree, decide, hope, learn, manage, offer, plan, promise, refuse, seem, and want.
Formula: S + verb + to + V
Example:
- We agreed to meet after class.
- She hopes to study abroad next year.
- He managed to finish the report on time.
The negative form is not to + V.
Example: They decided not to cancel the meeting.
Verb + gerund
Some verbs are followed by a gerund, or V-ing form. Common examples include avoid, consider, enjoy, finish, imagine, keep, mind, practice, recommend, suggest, and resist.
Formula: S + verb + V-ing
Example:
- She enjoys reading before bed.
- They suggested taking a taxi.
- He avoided answering the question.
A similar rule applies when a verb is followed by a preposition and then another verb. The verb after the preposition normally takes the V-ing form.
Example:
- She insisted on paying for dinner.
- They talked about moving to another city.
Verb + object + to-infinitive
Some verbs need an object before the to-infinitive. Common verbs in this group include advise, allow, encourage, force, persuade, remind, teach, tell, and warn.
Formula: S + verb + object + to + V
Example:
- The teacher encouraged me to speak more confidently.
- She reminded him to bring his passport.
- They persuaded us to stay another day.
The object is important because it identifies the person or thing that performs the second action.
Verb + object + bare infinitive
A bare infinitive is the base form of a verb without to. Certain verbs, especially make and let, are followed by object + bare infinitive. Perception verbs such as see, hear, watch, feel, and notice can also appear in this pattern in suitable contexts.
Formula: S + verb + object + V
Example:
- The joke made everyone laugh.
- Her parents let her choose the course.
- I heard someone knock on the door.
A key exception appears when make is used in the passive voice. In that case, the infinitive takes to.
Example: We were made to wait outside.
Help can be followed by either a bare infinitive or a to-infinitive.
Example: This guide can help you understand the rule. / This guide can help you to understand the rule.
Verbs Followed by Both Gerunds and To-Infinitives
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or a to-infinitive. In some cases, the meaning remains similar; in others, changing the pattern changes the meaning of the sentence.
Little or no major change in meaning
Verbs such as begin, start, continue, like, love, and prefer can often be followed by either form, although context and style may influence which form sounds more natural.
Example: She started reading the book. → She started to read the book.
However, fixed expressions may prefer one pattern. For example, would like, would love, and would prefer are normally followed by a to-infinitive.
Example: I would like to ask a question.
A change in pattern creates a change in meaning
Several verbs have different meanings depending on whether they are followed by a gerund or a to-infinitive. This distinction is especially important with remember, forget, stop, try, regret, go on, and need.
| Verb | + to-infinitive | + gerund |
| remember | remember something that still needs to be done | remember a past action |
| forget | fail to do something because you do not remember | fail to remember a past event |
| stop | pause one activity in order to do another | end an activity |
| try | make an effort to do something | test a possible method |
| regret | be sorry to give or announce information | feel sorry about a past action |
| go on | finish one action and move to another | continue the same action |
| need | need to perform an action | need to have an action done |
Example:
- Remember to lock the door.
- I remember locking the door.
- He stopped to answer the phone.
- He stopped talking.
- Try restarting the computer.
- She tried to open the window, but it was stuck.
How to Learn Verb Patterns More Accurately
Verb patterns are partly rule-based and partly lexical, which means you often need to learn the structure together with the verb. Memorizing a verb without its usual complement can lead to repeated mistakes.
A practical method is to record verbs as complete chunks. Instead of learning suggest by itself, learn suggest doing something. Instead of learning persuade alone, learn persuade someone to do something.
It is also useful to group verbs by pattern rather than alphabetically. For example:
- verb + to-infinitive: decide, hope, plan, refuse
- verb + gerund: avoid, enjoy, finish, suggest
- verb + object + to-infinitive: advise, encourage, remind, tell
- verb + object + bare infinitive: let, make, see, hear
Finally, pay special attention to verbs that allow more than one pattern. These verbs deserve separate example sentences because the grammar may affect the meaning.
Common mistakes with verb patterns
- Using a to-infinitive after a verb that requires a gerund: Some verbs, such as enjoy and avoid, do not normally take a to-infinitive. Example: Wrong: She enjoys to read. → Correct: She enjoys reading.
- Using a gerund after a verb that requires a to-infinitive: Verbs such as decide and hope are normally followed by to + V. Example: Wrong: They decided leaving early. → Correct: They decided to leave early.
- Leaving out the object in an object pattern: Verbs such as remind and persuade usually need an object before the to-infinitive. Example: Wrong: She reminded to call the client. → Correct: She reminded me to call the client.
- Adding to after make or let in an active sentence: These verbs normally use an object + bare infinitive. Example: Wrong: They made us to wait. → Correct: They made us wait.
- Ignoring meaning changes: Choosing V-ing or to + V after verbs such as stop or remember can change the message. Example: Wrong for the intended meaning: I stopped to smoke when you mean that you quit smoking → Correct: I stopped smoking.
Verb Patterns Practice Exercise
The following short exercise checks whether you can recognize the main structures. Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
- She promised ________ me after the meeting. (call)
- We enjoy ________ new places at weekends. (explore)
- The coach encouraged the team ________ calm. (stay)
- His joke made everyone ________. (laugh)
- I remember ________ the email yesterday. (send)
- Please remember ________ the door before you leave. (lock)
Answers: 1. to call; 2. exploring; 3. to stay; 4. laugh; 5. sending; 6. to lock.
See more:
- The Suggest Structure in English: Rules, Usage, and Examples
- English Vowels Explained: Definition, Types, and Correct Pronunciation
Understanding verb patterns helps you build grammatically complete sentences and express meaning more precisely. Focus on learning each verb together with its typical structure, then reinforce the pattern through short examples and regular practice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Verb Patterns
These brief answers clarify several points that learners often ask about when studying verb patterns.
What is a verb pattern in English?
A verb pattern is the grammatical structure that follows a verb, such as a to-infinitive, gerund, object + to-infinitive, or object + bare infinitive.
How do I know whether to use V-ing or to + V?
Check the pattern required by the first verb and learn that verb with its usual complement; some verbs allow both forms, sometimes with different meanings.
Can one verb have more than one verb pattern?
Yes. Verbs such as remember, stop, try, and start can occur in more than one pattern, and the meaning may stay similar or change depending on the structure.
Keywords:
verb patterns list
