Unit 10

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Unit 10: Verb Patterns

Different verb forms, including to-infinitive & the gerund

Exercise 1.2 (page 72)

Listen to part of an interview. Which problems did he encounter on his trip?

Problems encountered

seasickness

passport left at home

hurricane

stung by jellyfish

shark attack

volcanic eruption

missed flight

missed boat

Exercise 1.3 (page 72)

Listen again and fill in gaps.

Gap 2

Gap 3

Gap 4

Gap 5

Gap 6

Gap 7

Gap 8

Verb patterns

There are several verb patterns that you can use to improve your writing and speaking.

We are going to take a look at a few of them.

What do you remember from the to-infinitive and gerund?

One small detail to add:

If you use this verb pattern, the position of the word not can change the meaning of a sentence.

• after main verb: I regretted not telling her the truth. = I didn’t tell her the truth and feel bad about it
  
• in front of main verb: I did not regret telling her the truth. = I told her the truth and feel good about it
  
  
• after main verb: She was told to not hand in her essay. = they said she should not do it
  
• in front of main verb: She was not told to hand in her essay. = they didn’t say she should do it

Verb + object + bare infinitive

make / let + object is followed by a bare infinitive (without the word to)

• The teacher made the students wait for several hours before they were allowed to leave.
  
• He never lets his son go with him on his fishing trips.
  

• However, we use a to-infinitive in the passive form, as the structure changes
  The students were made to wait several hours before they were allowed to leave.

Verb + object + bare infinitive

With verbs of perception + object we can use a bare infinitive or present participle.

• We watched the sun set and then went home. (action = complete)
  
• I was on the beach and watched the sun setting. (action = in progress)
  
  
• I felt it sting me across the stomach. (didn't last long / short action)
  
• I felt it stinging me across the stomach. (lasted for some time / long(er) action)
  
  
• So, we use the bare infinitive when an action is complete or we want to emphasise it didn’t last long.
  We use the present participle when the action is in progress or we want to say it lasted for some time.

Verb + object + bare infinitive

We use the bare infinitive in certain idiomatic phrases with dare, make, let and hear.

• I dare say you’re tired after a long hard day of working in the field. (saying something is probable)
  
• I had to let go of the rope. (relinquish one's grip)
  
• We had to make do with a small house. (manage with the limited means available)
  
• I heard tell that he has cheated on her. (was told)
  

Other verb patterns

• If you want to talk about an event that happened earlier or is complete or actions that did not happen, use:
  verb + to have + past participle
  The Apache are thought to have invented the tipi.
  She was supposed to have finished her homework yesterday.

• If you want to emphasise that one thing happened before the other, use:
  verb + having + past participle
  I really regret not having brought anything to eat on this trip.
  I admit having forgotten to buy you a gift for our anniversary.
  (This is often used with the verbs admit, deny, forget, recall, regret and remember)

• If you want to talk about actions in the future, use:
  verb + to be + past participle / present participle
  I hope to be going back to Jamaica soon.
  She wants to be introduced to her new parents in law soon.

Becoming more formal

In some sentences, we can change an object with a possessive to make it more formal.

• I really appreciated them looking after me so well.
  I really appreciated their looking after me so well. (= slightly more formal)

• I was thinking of us working on this project.
  I was thinking of our working on this project. (= slightly more formal)

This is often done with verbs of (dis)liking, like appreciate, detest, (dis)approve of, (dis)like, enjoy, hate, love, object to and verbs of thinking, like forget, imagine, remember and think of.

writing tip

Exercise 3.1 (page 75)

Let's see if you can choose the correct option every time.

The President ... 'Yes' in tomorrow's referendum on joining the European Union.

1. has urged people vote
2. has urged to vote
3. has urged people to vote

After Chan injured his knee last year, a number of specialists ... football, but he is still playing as well as ever.

1. advised him to give up
2. advised to give up
3. advised him giving up

A video recording from a security camera at the back was used in Thomas' trial. It clearly ... a gun at the cashier.

1. showed pointing
2. showed him pointing
3. showed him to point

If you have any questions, please write to me at the above address. I can't ... immediately, but I will certainly write back before the end of the month.

1. guarantee you to reply
2. guarantee to reply
3. guarantee you replying

You can lead a horse to water but you can't ...

1. make it drink
2. make it to drink
3. make it drinking

We really ... us move house.

1. appreciate you help
2. appreciate you helping
3. appreciate your helping

I've decided to look for a new job as I ... in front of a computer all day.

1. enjoy not sitting
2. don't enjoy to sit
3. don't enjoy sitting

Now that Lena has bought a house in Brussels, I will have to ... my flat with me.

1. advertise for someone to share
2. advertise someone sharing
3. advertise someone to share

Continue

In pairs / groups of three:
Continue working on exercises 3.2 & 3.3 on page 186

Check the answers with the key in the back of your book.

Want some extra practice because you are awesome?

Do the exam practice on page 79 as well!