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Verb Types
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 Structures and Patterns Guidelines
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 They bought the
object can be a noun, a pronoun or a clause.
sweater.
He watched them.
Linking
A linking verb is followed by a noun or adjective The meal looked
which refers to the subject of the verb.
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 I waited to begin dinner.
verb combination forms.
They wanted to come to
the party.
verb verb ing
This is one of the most common They enjoyed listening to
verb combination forms.
the
music.
They regretted spending so
much time on the project.
verb verb ing OR Some verbs can combine with other She started to eat dinner.
verb infinitive - verbs using both forms without OR She started eating
no change in changing the basic meaning of the dinner.
meaning
sentence.
verb verb ing OR Some verbs can combine with other They stopped speaking to
verb infinitive - verbs using both forms. However, each other. => They don't
change
in with these verbs, there is a change speak to each other
meaning
in the basic meaning of the anymore.
sentence.
They stopped to speak to
each other. => They
stopped walking in order
to speak to each other.
verb
object
object
indirect An indirect object is usually placed
direct before a direct object when a verb
takes both an indirect and direct
object.
verb
object This is the most common form
infinitive
when a verb is followed by both an
object and a verb.
verb object base This form is used with a few verbs
form (infinitive (let, help and make).
without 'to')
verb object verb This form is less common than verb
ing
object infinitive.
verb
object Use this form for a clause beginning
clause with 'that' with 'that'.
verb
object Use this form for a clause beginning
clause with 'wh-' with wh- (why, when, where)
verb object past This form is often used when
participle
someone does something for
someone else.
Source: esl.about.com
I bought her a book.
She
asked
him
the
question.
She asked her to find a
place
to
stay.
They instructed them to
open the envelope.
She made her finish her
homework.
They let him go to the
concert.
He helped him paint the
house.
I observed them painting
the
house.
I heard her singing in the
living room.
She told him that she
would worker harder.
He informed him that he
was going to resign.
They
were
instructed
where
to
go.
She told me why she had
done it.
He had his car washed.
They want the report
finished immediately.