Verb patterns

Reported speech (2): other reporting verbs

VERBS + TO • Most verbs followed by another verb take TO + infinitive. Examples: He offered to help the lady. I’d prefer not to go out tonight.

Verbs followed by TO

agree arrange can’t afford can’t wait decide expect hope learn manage offer ought plan pretend promise refuse threaten want would like would love would prefer

VERBS + TO / -ING (with little or no difference)

• Some verbs may be followed by either TO or ING with very little differente in meaning. Compare the examples: I like to do the washing up right after having meals. (I prefer doing something in a certain way) I like going shopping at weekends. (I enjoy it)

List of verbs + TO and -ING

start like / love / hate prefer continue

VERBS + -ING FORM • Other verbs are followed by the -ING form. Examples: He enjoys watching sci-fi films. I can’t stand getting up early. I look forward to hearing from you.

VERBS + BASE FORM • Another group of verbs is followed by base form. Here is a list of these verbs. Examples: You’d better go home now. I’d rather not go out tonight.

admit (to) avoid consider deny dislike discuss enjoy fancy feel like imagine involve keep mind miss postpone practise recall recommend resent resist suggest tolerate can’t help can’t stand be used to get used to look forward to

• After prepositions (except TO, which usually takes infinitive). Examples: She gave up smoking many years ago. This detergent is for cleaning kitchen worktops.

IDIOMS + -ING FORM

• Some useful expressions are followed by -ING form. Example: This film is worth watching twice.

would rather (‘d rather) had better (‘d better)

Modal verbs: can / could shall / should must may / might will / would

VERBS + OBJECT + TO

• Observe the examples: Mum wants me to make my bed. He told me not to move.

List of idioms + -ING

be worth there’s no point have difficulty it’s no use

List of verbs + object + TO

advise allow ask beg convince encourage expect forbid force

VERBS + TO / -ING (difference in meaning) • Other verbs change their meanings when followed by TO or ING. Compare the examples:

He worked all afternoon, but he stopped to have dinner. He stopped working at 7pm.

Verbs need

try

stop go on

remember

forget

regret + TO I need to go to the dentist. (I have to go...)

I tried to get in but the door was locked. (I attempted to do something)

We stopped to rest. (we changed activity) He worked as an actor then went on to direct films. (he started another phase)

Remember to send me the file. (don’t forget that you have to do something)

I forgot to turn off the light. (I didn’t do it because I didn’t remember to do it)

I regret to inform you that your application has not been accepted. (formal expression for ‘I’m sorry’)

+ -ING My sweater needs washing (it needs to be washed)

Try using a different key! (experiment with one or more methods)

It stopped raining. (indicating an interruption) I told him to stop but he went on talking. (he continued the action he was doing)

I clearly remember closing the window. (I remember a past action)

She forgot meeting me before. (he met me but he forgot that he did).

I regret not going to university. (I’m sorry something didn’t happen in the past)

Underline the correct verb form in the following sentences. 1 I’d like to be / being able to fly. 2 Do you mind to close / closing the window? 3 My son keeps to lose / losing his glasses. 4 Imagine to be / being an alien on earth. 5 I can’t help to cry / crying whenever I see this film. 6 Tom wants to be / being a vet. 7 The guide suggested to visit / visiting the museum on working days. 8 When did you learn to ski / skiing? 9 We usually avoid to go / going on holiday in August. 10 I can’t wait to see / seeing you.

Write the verb in brackets in the correct form choosing between Infintive (to), Gerund (-ing) or base form. 1 They arranged _____ (leave) early. 2 You must _____ (tell) the truth. 3 Don’t pretend _____ (be) good at something if you aren’t. 4 I can’t afford _____ (waste) my time. 5 Rob can’t stand _____ (queue) up. 6 The robber threatened ____ (kill) all the customers. 7 We recommend ____ (book) the seats 15 days before the show. 8 Rebecca shouldn’t _____ (stay) up late.

Complete the following sentences with the negative form of the verbs in brackets. 1 My sister resented _____(not / get) the same mark as me. 2 There may ______ (not / be) enough time. 3 You’d better _____ (not / move): there’s a bee on your arm. 4 Sally asked us _____ (not / tell) anyone about her secret. 5 The boy admitted ____ (not / do) the homework. 6 We expected him ____ (not / arrive) on time.

4 First Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first using the word in brackets. You must use between 2 and 5 words. 1 John suggested that we go there by train. (advised) John _________________________ there by train. 2 We couldn’t pass the test the first time. (manage) We _______________ pass the test the first time. 3 Shall I give you a hand with the shopping bags? (want) Do you ____________ carry the shopping bags? 4 She didn’t remember she’d ordered the pizzas. (ordering) She _______________________________ the pizzas. 5 Ted is sorry he didn’t invite us. (regrets) Ted _______________________________________ us. 6 It’s not a problem for her to walk to work. (mind) She _________________________________ to work. 7 It’s useless to do it again. (point) There _________________________________ again. 8 I can’t wait to leave for Canada. (forward) I’m ______________________________ for Canada. 9 It’s unusual for me to drive on the left. (used) I’m _______________________________ on the left. 10 My parents didn’t let me go out at night. (allow) My parents didn’t ______________ out at night.

Listen to the four short conversations and choose A or B to complete the statements.

The woman A would rather watch a film at home. B doesn’t mind going to the cinema. Both girls A really enjoyed watching the film B agree that the film is worth watching

Dave’s father A remembers to brush his teeth. B reminds him to brush his teeth. Kev Robertson A kept working as a successful cameraman for a film that was awarded in Berlin. B became a director of photography after working as a cameraman.

6 First Complete the sentences choosing A, B, C or D. 1 Excuse me, Sir, Would you _____ not smoking in here?

A like B rather C mind D prefer 2 You _____ better not click on that link: it may contain malicious software or viruses.

A would B had C will D should 3 My son can’t _____ listening to classical music: she only likes hip hop.

A wait B afford C help D stand 4 I don’t _____ doing my homework now: can I do it later, Mum?

A feel like B prefer not C want D mind 5 I’d like _____ less selfish. He never thinks about other people.

A him being B that he was C him to be D he be 6 The lawyer _____ recording all the phone calls I got.

A advised B suggested C encouraged D invited 7 Miss Lewis was accused of being a thief but she _____ stealing the jewels.

A refused B resisted C resented D denied 8 I usually like Italian cuisine but I’d _____ to have some Indian food this evening.

A enjoy B prefer C rather D better 9 It _____ working so hard if you can’t spend the money you earn because you have no time.

A isn’t worth B isn’t use C isn’t point D shouldn’t 10 _____ going for a drink next Saturday night?

A Would you like B Do you like C Do you fancy D Would you rather 11 I was paralysed with fear but I _____ the police immediately.

A remember calling B remind to call C remember to call D remind calling 12 When I broke my right arm it took some time for me to _____ writing with my left hand.

A go on B be used to C stop D get used to

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verbs from the box.

lower buy make meet repair save take tell travel use

If you are trying ____________ your cholesterol try ________________ olive oil instead of butter. I’ll never forget _______________________ my wife for the first time. We can’t go on ________________ lottery tickets if you really want us ________________ money.

I like _____________________________ and I’d like to go to Brazil next year. I asked her to go on ________ me the whole story but she stopped ________ a phone call. Your car needs ____________________: you need ____________________ it to the mechanic.

8 Who says what? Write the correct sentences in the speech bubbles. A ‘I can’t wait to leave.’ B ‘I look forward to meeting him.’ C ‘I feel like playing football.’ D ‘I can’t afford to buy a car.’ E ‘I can’t stand working late.’ F ‘I can’t help sneezing.’