Grammar
- Modal Phrases (had Better And Would Rather)
Semi-modal multi-word constructions 'had better' and 'would rather' are followed by the infinitive without to. Examples: We had better go into the house because it is raining. I can come today but I would rather come tomorrow. Had...
- Modal Verbs: Can
The Forms, Meanings and Use of the Modal Verb CAN (COULD).Can and could are modal auxiliary verb, like for example must, may and should. Like other modal verbs, 'can' has no –s on the third person singular (he can, not he cans); questions...
- Modal Verbs: Must
The Forms, Meanings and Use of the Modal Verb MUST.Must is a modal auxiliary verb. 'Must' has no infinitive or participles. It has only one tense form in the present. Like other modal verbs, 'must' has no –s on the third person singular...
- Verb Patterns - Quick Quizzes
When one verb follows another they can follow one of several patterns, for example: verb + to-infinitive verb + -ing form (gerund) verb + to--infinitive / -ing form verb + object + (to-) infinitive verb + object + -ing form verb + that clause There...
- Phrasal Verbs That Are Always Separated
There are a few phrasal verbs that take an object where that object must go between the verb and the particle, and not after the particle. The idea of this post is to try and list all of these, or at least as many as I know about. I've taken...
Grammar
Verb patterns - new page
Verb patterns - verb + ing form, verb + infinitive, verb + that clause
I've put together what I think is a fairly comprehensive table of structures that can come after just over 400 different verbs. There's also a feature where you can look up a verb and see a short list of its possible structures.
One of these days I'll get round to doing some exercises on verb patterns. Meanwhile this should help as a reference.
And as this is for reference I've done it as a page rather than a post. Just click here or on 'Verb patterns' in the list of pages above.
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- Modal Phrases (had Better And Would Rather)
Semi-modal multi-word constructions 'had better' and 'would rather' are followed by the infinitive without to. Examples: We had better go into the house because it is raining. I can come today but I would rather come tomorrow. Had...
- Modal Verbs: Can
The Forms, Meanings and Use of the Modal Verb CAN (COULD).Can and could are modal auxiliary verb, like for example must, may and should. Like other modal verbs, 'can' has no –s on the third person singular (he can, not he cans); questions...
- Modal Verbs: Must
The Forms, Meanings and Use of the Modal Verb MUST.Must is a modal auxiliary verb. 'Must' has no infinitive or participles. It has only one tense form in the present. Like other modal verbs, 'must' has no –s on the third person singular...
- Verb Patterns - Quick Quizzes
When one verb follows another they can follow one of several patterns, for example: verb + to-infinitive verb + -ing form (gerund) verb + to--infinitive / -ing form verb + object + (to-) infinitive verb + object + -ing form verb + that clause There...
- Phrasal Verbs That Are Always Separated
There are a few phrasal verbs that take an object where that object must go between the verb and the particle, and not after the particle. The idea of this post is to try and list all of these, or at least as many as I know about. I've taken...