Start here · the first lesson of Verb patterns (gerund, infinitive, bare infinitive)
Verb patterns (gerund, infinitive, bare infinitive)
Grammar: Voice, Narration, Tenses + Rule Bank · for IPMAT Indore, IPMAT Rohtak and JIPMAT
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The idea
When one verb follows another, the second verb's form is fixed by the first: some verbs take the to-infinitive (refuse to sign), some the -ing form (avoid meeting), some the bare infinitive (make him wait), and modals take the base verb (would have accepted). A preposition is always followed by -ing, and the "to" of look forward to and be used to is a preposition. Indore 2023 Q30 (he would have definitely accepted such an offer) was a modal-perfect item.
Textbook vs exam method
Textbook method
| Rule | Right | Wrong |
|---|---|---|
Verb + to-infinitive or -ing (infinitive-or-gerund) | She avoided meeting him; he refused to sign. | She avoided to meet him. |
Preposition + -ing (gerund-after-preposition) | I look forward to meeting you; she is used to working late. | I look forward to meet you. |
make / let / have + object + bare verb (bare-infinitive) | They made him wait; the guard let us enter. | They made him to wait. |
| ... but "to" in the passive | He was made to wait. | He was made wait. |
Modal + base; modal + have + past participle (modal-perfect) | He would have accepted the offer; you should have informed the police. | He would have accept the offer. |
cannot help + -ing; cannot but + base (cannot-help) | I could not help laughing; I cannot but laugh. | I could not help to laugh. |
insist / demand / suggest that + base verb (or should + base) (subjunctive-that-base) | She insisted that she pay the bill. | She insisted to pay the bill. |
Notes:
- "Help" takes either form: help him carry / help him to carry.
- "Used to + base" is a past habit (I used to swim); "be used to + -ing" means "be accustomed to" (I am used to swimming).
- The "that + base verb" rule is contested (British English also uses should), so it is never the only tested point.
Exam method
- Find the first verb. (or modal, or preposition) and recall its pattern.
- Is "to" a preposition?. Try a noun after it: look forward to the holiday works, so it is a preposition → -ing.
- make / let / have?. Active → bare verb; passive → to.
- Modal?. Base verb, or "have + past participle" for the past.