Verb Patterns

Reference

Common mistakes

1. She accused him to lie. → She accused him of lying.
   accuse + of + -ing
2. He admitted to steal the money. → He admitted stealing the money.
   admit + -ing (not infinitive)
3. She made me to apologise. → She made me apologise.
   make + object + bare infinitive
4. I look forward to hear from you. → I look forward to hearing from you.
   "to" = preposition → -ing

Verb Patterns — Exercises

Choose the verb pattern

Circle the correct answer.

1. She accused me _____ her sandwich. (of eating / to eat / for eating)
2. He apologised _____ late. (for being / to be / of being)
3. She admitted _____ the window. (breaking / to break / break)
4. He refused _____ me his password. (to tell / telling / tell)
5. The rain prevented us _____ out. (from going / to go / going)
6. My parents made me _____ my room. (tidy / to tidy / tidying)
7. I persuaded my friend _____ with me. (to come / coming / come)
8. She suggested _____ a taxi. (taking / to take / take)

Complete with the correct form

Write the verb in the correct form.

1. He insisted on   (pay) for dinner.
2. She offered   (help) me with my bags.
3. They denied   (take) the money.
4. The teacher warned us   (not / be) late.
5. I look forward to   (see) you.
6. She succeeded in   (find) a cheap flight.

Verb Patterns — Answer Key

Choose the verb pattern

1. of eating — accuse + of + -ing.
2. for being — apologise + for + -ing.
3. breaking — admit + -ing.
4. to tell — refuse + to + verb.
5. from going — prevent + object + from + -ing.
6. tidy — make + object + bare infinitive → tidy.
7. to come — persuade + object + to + verb.
8. taking — suggest + -ing (or suggest that we take).

Complete with the correct form

1. paying
2. to help
3. taking
4. not to be
5. seeing
6. finding