74   I can use verb patterns

Verb + infinitive

Example     

Meaning

 

intend to do sth 

We intend to leave early tonight.  

plan or mean to do sth.

 

manage to do sth     

I managed to get a job, but it wasn’t easy. 

succeed with sth that is often difficult.

 

tend to do sth    

I tend to get up late on Sundays.  

usually do sth. tendency N.

 

pretend to do or be sth   

He pretended to be ill because he just didn’t want to go to school.    

act in a particular way to make people believe sth that isn’t true.

 

refuse to do sth 

Why did she refuse to help you?  

say that you won’t do sth that sb has asked you to do.

Other common verbs used in this way: expect, promise, offer, decide, hope, want, mean.

 

Verb + -ing form

imagine doing sth    

I can’t imagine working without a computer.    

think what sth will be like.

 

admit doing sth

deny doing sth  

He admitted taking the vase. She denied taking his watch.   

agree that you have done sth wrong. OPP deny doing sth.

 

recall doing sth 

I don’t recall meeting them.   

remember sth you did in the past.

 

mind doing sth  

Do you mind working late?    

feel unhappy that you have to do sth.

 

regret doing sth

I regret leaving school at 16.  

feel sorry that you did sth.

 

Other common verbs used in this way: enjoy, avoid, keep, risk, regret, consider, suggest.

 

Verb + object + infinitive

persuade sb to do sth     

He persuaded me to buy a new car.     

make sb do sth by giving them a good reason to do it.

 

encourage sb to do sth   

My sister encouraged me to have dancing lessons.  

give sb help and support so that they feel confident to do sth.

 

warn sb not to do sth     

He warned me not to go into that area.      

tell sb not to do sth that might be unpleasant or dangerous.

 

remind sb to do sth  

I had to remind her to post the letter.  

help sb to remember sth that they have to do.

 

enable sb to do sth   

His map enabled me to find it.      

make it possible for sb to do sth.

 

Other common verbs used in this way: want, ask, tell, beg, advise, expect, force, help, allow.

 

Verb + object + preposition

accuse sb of sth 

The teacher accused the boy of cheating.   

say that sb has done wrong or broken the law.

 

blame sb for sth

They blamed the teachers for the bad exam results. 

think or say that sb is responsible for sth bad.

 

remind sb of sb/sth  

You remind me of my dad.    

cause sb to remember sb/sth.

 

introduce sb to sb    

I introduced Miss Anderson to my boss.    

tell sb another person’s name when they meet for the first time.

Other common verbs used in this way: ask sb for, forgive sb for, prevent sb from (doing sth), spend sth on.

4     ABOUT YOU Write your answers or ask another student.

Is there anything:

1     you managed to do recently that was difficult? What? ____

2     you intended to do recently but didn’t? What? ____

3     you regret doing recently? What?  ____

4     you have refused to do recently? What? ____                                             

5     someone has persuaded you to do recently? What?   ____                         

6     someone has warned you not to do recently? What? ____

7     someone has blamed you for recently? What? ____ 

8     someone has reminded you to do recently? What?____   

Answers from a Spanish person

1     I managed to cycle up a steep hill last week.

2     I intended to call my sister yesterday but I forgot.

3     I regret missing a chance to buy a house a couple of years ago.

4     I refused to go on a business trip recently.

5     My dad persuaded me to buy a car last year.

6     My mum warned me not to spend too much on my credit card.

7     I’m pleased to say no one has blamed me for anything recently.

8     My mum reminded me to call my sister today!