Verb patterns
In English, there are a total of 26 patterns of verb complementation (where one verb is followed by another verb.)
This is quite a lot, and consequently it is quite hard to get right. For this reason, I have listed below all the patterns with examples of use for easy reference.The situation is actually even more complicated than this - verbs with the same verb pattern may function in very different ways - modal verbs are always followed by the bare infinitive (sometimes implied), but "do" can also be followed by the bare infinitive when, for example, we make negative statements. For the same reason, I have listed gerunds and the present participle as "v-ing". A true gerund can be replaced by "it" without altering the meaning of the sentence assuming of course that we know what "it" is. A present participle is more verb-like. If we replace the v-ing form with "it", the sentence either doesn't make sense, or its meaning is altered.
Abbreviations:
adj = adjective;
"Qwd" = "Question word" - words like who, what, when, where, how; and also including whether and if;
[T] means "transitive", [I] means "intransitive";
sb means "somebody", and sth means "something":1. Infinitive: Do, modals, semimodals - need, dare, let make help
2. Verb+contrastive conjunction (but)+infinitive:
Can but, Can't help but
3. Object +infinitive: Let, make, help, leave, verbs passive perception, do nothing but (nothing = object)
eg Let sb go, leave sb be.
core meaning: Non-intervention, attention not directed.
4. Object +infinitive+contrastive conjunction (but/except):
do nothing but (nothing = object)
5. To+infinitive: Choose to be
6. Object+to+infinitive: Force sb to go
7. Qwd+to+infinitive: Pinpoint where to make the incision
8. Reflexive pronoun+to+infinitive: If you can bring yourself to do it
9. In order to + infinitive: Any [I] verb that can have a purpose/intention
10. Object+in order to+verb: Any [T] verb that can have a purpose/intention
11. V-ing: Enjoy going
12.The+v-ing: Do the cooking, look after the skiing, take care of the washing up
core meaning: Responsibility for sth.
13.Possessive adj+v-ing: Find us doing
14.Reflexive pronoun+v-ing: Find yourself doing
15.Object+v-ing: Wouldn't catch me doing
16.Plural v-ings: Continue dealings
17.(That)+subject+verb (any tense): He said that he wasn't going
18.Object+ (that)+subject+verb (any tense): I promised them that I would go
19.Object+Qwd+Subject+verb (in any tense): Please advise me how much you intend to pay me
20.Present subjunctive: It is imperative that sth be done about this
21.Past Subjunctive: I'd rather you didn't do that
22.So that+subject+verb(in any tense): I took the plane so that I could be here as soon as I could
23.And+verb: It's a bit touch and go, try and be a bit more careful in future
24.Past participle: I have been to Italy
25.Object+past participle: I got my car repaired at the garage.
26.Set expressions ending in a contrastive conjunction (but or except)+to+infinitive
Have no choice but/except, Leave sb no choice but/except
27.Verb,+prepositional phrase,+verb
[Check this one.] You must from now on use the side enterance.