Verb Structures and Patterns
This guide provides a look at common verb structures and patterns used in English. Each structure is
explained and an example of correct usage is given.
Verb Type
Explanation
Examples
Intransitive
An intransitive verb does not take a direct object
They're sleeping.
They arrived late.
Transitive
A transitive verb takes a direct object. The direct
object can be a noun, a pronoun or a clause.
They bought the
sweater.
He watched them.
Linking
A linking verb is followed by a noun or adjective which
refers to the subject of the verb.
The meal looked
wonderful.
He felt
embarrassed.
Verb Patterns
There are also many verb patterns which are common in English. When two verbs are used, it is
especially important to notice which form the second verb takes (infinitive - to do - base form - do verb ing - doing).
Verb Pattern
Structure
Examples
verb infinitive
This is one of the most common verb
combination forms.
I waited to begin dinner.
They wanted to come to the
party.
verb verb ing
This is one of the most common verb
combination forms.
They enjoyed listening to the
music.
They regretted spending so
much time on the project.
verb verb ing OR
verb infinitive - no
change in meaning
Some verbs can combine with other
verbs using both forms without
changing the basic meaning of the
sentence.
She started to eat dinner. OR
She started eating dinner.
verb verb ing OR
verb infinitive change in meaning
Some verbs can combine with other
verbs using both forms. However, with
these verbs, there is a change in the
basic meaning of the sentence.
They stopped speaking to
each other. => They don't
speak to each other anymore.
They stopped to speak to
each other. => They stopped
walking in order to speak to
each other.
verb indirect
object direct
object
An indirect object is usually placed
before a direct object when a verb
takes both an indirect and direct
object.
I bought her a book.
She asked him the question.
verb object
infinitive
This is the most common form when a
verb is followed by both an object and a
verb.
She asked her to find a place
to stay.
They instructed them to open
the envelope.
verb object base
form (infinitive
without 'to')
This form is used with a few verbs (let,
help and make).
She made her finish her
homework.
They let him go to the
concert.
He helped him paint the
house.
verb object verb
ing
This form is less common than verb
object infinitive.
I observed them painting the
house.
I heard her singing in the
living room.
verb object clause
with 'that'
Use this form for a clause beginning
with 'that'.
She told him that she would
worker harder.
He informed him that he was
going to resign.
verb object clause
with 'wh-'
Use this form for a clause beginning
with wh- (why, when, where)
They were instructed where
to go.
She told me why she had done
it.
verb object past
participle
This form is often used when someone
does something for someone else.
He had his car washed.
They want the report
finished immediately.
http://esl.about.com/library/weekly/aa052902a.htm
More examples of verb patterns are given here:
Verb Patterns.
1. subject - linking verb -
subject complement: adjective (phrase)
The lesson was interesting.
The game became more exciting.
The beach looked deserted.
To go further was impossible.
The milk went sour.
The damage appears (to be) serious.
2. subject - linking verb - subject complement: noun (phrase)
David is my younger brother.
That appears to be the best answer.
This proved to be a good investment.
To stay out of sight seemed to be the wisest thing to do.
3. subject etc.
intransitive verb -
adjunct: adverb (phrase) of time, manner,
The moon rose early.
John and Jane are arguing again.
The door opened slowly.
4. subject -
intransitive verb -
adjunct: prepositional phrase.
Helen is coming to dinner
People are complaining about the traffic.
You can’t rely on Martin
Mother can’t cope with the extra visitors
5. subject -
intransitive verb -
A visitor came in.
The noise faded away.
We’ll have to calm down.
adjunct: adverbial particle.
6. subject - intransitive verb - adjunct: noun phrase/prepositional phrase.
The meeting lasted for three hours
The book cost me ten dollars
The seafront extends for three miles
7. subject - intransitive verb - adjunct: non-finite clause ( to- infinitive )
Jane hesitated to phone the office.
I wouldn’t care to have a fight with him.
We all longed to get away for a family holiday.
8. subject - transitive verb - direct object: noun ( phrase ) /pronoun.
George was watching television.
The company paid a huge sum.
Peter doesn’t owe anything.
A small boy opened the door.
9. subject - transitive verb - direct object - adjunct: prepositional phrase
The speaker thanked the chairman for his kind remarks
The teacher referred the class to a a passage in the textbook.
The waiter served Sarah with a double helping.
The lecturer confused his name with mine.
10. subject - transitive verb - direct object - adjunct: adverbial particle.
Sally is tidying her room up
Bob asked Sally out.
Bill has a blue shirt on.
The nurse shook the medicine up.
11. subject - transitive verb - direct object: that- clause.
Officials believe that a settlement is possible.
We consider that Frank has been badly treated.
Doctors have noted that the disease was spreading.
The weatherman forecast that more snow is on the way.
12. subject - transitive verb - direct object: finite clause/non-finite clause.
Bill discovered who he had to give the money to/who to give the money.
The students haven’t learnt which tutors they can rely on/which tutors to rely on.
We hadn’t decided what we ought to do next/what to do next.
13. subject - transitive verb - direct object: non-finite clause (to- infinitive )
Bill liked to arrive early for meetings.
Jane wants to finish the job by tomorrow.
Peter expects to be promoted soon.
Tom loves to do the household chores.
14. subject - transitive verb - direct object: non-finite clause (
noun(phrase)/pronoun+to- infinitive )
The teacher wants her class/them to finish the job by Wednesday.
Tony prefers His wife/her to do the housework.
I expect the parcel/it to arrive tomorrow.
The boss liked the staff/them to arrive early for work.
15. subject - transitive verb - direct object: non-finite clause: ing- form
Peter enjoys playing football.
I remembered posting the letters
John denied stealing the stamps.
Jill hates working in the garden.
16. subject - double-transitive verb - indirect object - direct object: non-finite
clause (to- infinitive )
We told Peter to see a doctor
John and Mary encouraged Simon to stay.
His teacher advised him to take up the piano.
The court forbade the father to see his children.
17. subject - double-transitive verb - indirect object - direct object: that- clause
Police warned drivers that the roads were icy.
The manager informed the audience that the show has been cancelled.