Common Verb Patterns

VERBS + INFINITIVE These verbs include: afford, agree, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, care, choose, dare, decide, deserve, expect, forget, happen, help, hope, learn, manage, offer, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, threaten, want, wish
Examples: Thelmas boss refuses to give her a pay rise. Ive arranged to see the doctor on Tuesday.

VERBS + -ING These verbs include: admit, appreciate, avoid, consider, delay, deny, dislike, enjoy, face, fancy, feel like, finish, forgive, give up, cant help, imagine, keep, look forward to, mind, miss, practise, put off, resist, risk, cant stand, suggest, understand
Examples: Andrew admitted cheating in the exam. Elena has given up smoking

VERBS + INFINITIVE or -ING These verbs include: advise, allow, cant bear, begin, continue, forbid, forget, go, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, remember*, start, stop*, try*
Examples: I was on my way home when it started to rain = I was on my way home when it started raining * with a change in meaning

VERBS + OBJECT + INFINITIVE These verbs include: advise, allow, ask, cause, encourage, expect, forbid, force, get, hate, help, invite, leave, like, love, mean, need, order, permit, persuade, prefer, recommend, remind, teach, tell, want, warn, wish
Examples: Dennis persuaded me to go on holiday with him. Can you ask the taxi driver to wait?