Verb Patterns And Complements
Spoken Description
Explore complex verb structures with our Verb Patterns guide. Learn subject-verb agreement, verb + object phrases, and verb + complement patterns with clear examples and practice exercises.
Descubre patrones verbales complejos en nuestro artículo: concordancia sujeto-verbo, verbos + frase de objeto y patrones verbales + complemento. Incluye ejemplos claros y ejercicios prácticos.
-:- / -:-
Verbs shape what comes next: an infinitive, a gerund, a clause, or a phrase. This guide explains the main patterns so you can predict and explain each verb’s favorite complement.
Gerund
A gerund is a verb ending in ‑ing that functions like a noun. Many verbs are followed by a gerund when you want to talk about an activity in general.
Example Verbs
Verbs such as enjoy, mind, avoid, finish and suggest are typically followed by a gerund.
Example Sentences
We (enjoy)painting together on weekends.
We (enjoy / decide) ___ painting together on weekends.
Summary
Use a gerund after verbs that treat an action as a thing or when the focus is on the activity itself.
Infinitive
An infinitive is to + base form and often expresses purpose, intention, or potential. Many verbs are followed by an infinitive when the action is seen as distinct or when you want to signal future or hypothetical deeds.
Example Verbs
Verbs such as decide, plan, hope, want and learn are typically followed by an infinitive.
Example Sentences
We (enjoy)painting together on weekends.
We (enjoy / decide) ___ painting together on weekends.
Summary
Use an infinitive after verbs that look forward to an action or when you want to express purpose.
Gerund Or Infinitive
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, sometimes with a difference in meaning and sometimes with no change. When both are possible, the choice can subtly shift the focus from the action itself to the action as a plan or habit.
Verbs With No Meaning Change
Verbs such as begin, start, like, love and hate can be followed by either form with little or no change in meaning.
Verbs With Meaning Change
Verbs such as stop, remember, forget, try and regret change meaning depending on whether you use a gerund or an infinitive.
Summary
When both forms are possible, pay attention to whether the sentence focuses on the actual activity or on intention, and consult a dictionary note for subtle differences.
To Infinitive After Adjectives
An infinitive often follows an adjective to explain purpose or to show why something is good, easy, important, etc. This pattern is useful for linking feelings or judgments to actions.
Example Adjectives
Adjectives such as happy, ready, eager, reluctant and glad are commonly followed by to + infinitive.
Example Sentences
We (enjoy)painting together on weekends.
We (enjoy / decide) ___ painting together on weekends.
Summary
Use to + infinitive after an adjective when you want to connect a quality or feeling to a specific action.
Complements: That-Clauses
A that-clause starts with that and gives more information after verbs of saying, thinking, believing, and reporting. The word that can sometimes be omitted in speech and writing.
Verbs
Verbs such as say, tell, think, believe, know and show are followed by a that-clause to report information or opinion.
Example Sentences
We (enjoy)painting together on weekends.
We (enjoy / decide) ___ painting together on weekends.
Summary
Use a that-clause after verbs that report speech, thought, or belief when you want to present a complete idea.
Complements: To + Infinitive And Gerund
This final section shows how some verbs take a second verb as a complement in that they require either a to-infinitive or a gerund, with small differences in use and meaning.
Verbs That Take To + Infinitive
Verbs such as agree, promise, refuse, manage and offer are followed by to + infinitive when the focus is on intention or commitment.
Verbs That Take A Gerund
Verbs such as enjoy, avoid, consider, discuss and mind are followed by a gerund when the action is treated as an activity.
Summary
Match the complement type to the main verb: use to + infinitive for planned or intended actions and a gerund for ongoing or general activities.
Summary
Verb patterns determine what kind of complement comes after each verb: use a gerund after verbs that treat actions as things, an infinitive after verbs that express intention or purpose, and that-clauses after verbs of saying or thinking. Some verbs allow both a gerund and an infinitive with subtle meaning differences, so pay attention to those pairs.
All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Mon Dec 8, 2025, 6:25 AM