Verb Types in English

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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 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 that 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. Reference list of: Verb + Infinitive 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. Reference list of: Verb + Ing 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. This guide to verbs that change meaning provides explanations of the most important of these verbs. 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. Reference list of: Verb + (Pro)Noun + Infinitive 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 work 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.
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Beare, Kenneth. "Verb Types in English." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/verb-types-in-english-1210668. Beare, Kenneth. (2023, April 5). Verb Types in English. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/verb-types-in-english-1210668 Beare, Kenneth. "Verb Types in English." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/verb-types-in-english-1210668 (accessed March 28, 2024).