A2 · Elementary Chapter 15

Verb Patterns: Infinitives, Gerunds and Purpose

3 Total Rules
15 examples
1 min
Rules in This Chapter frontend.learn_grammar.chapter_quick_practice

frontend.learn_grammar.chapter_what_youll_learn

Learn which verbs are followed by to + infinitive, which take -ing, and how to express purpose using to and for. Also covers verbs with two objects.

frontend.learn_grammar.chapter_key_examples (6)

1

I want to visit Japan one day.

Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns (Want to Go / Enjoy Going)
2

She enjoys cooking for her family.

Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns (Want to Go / Enjoy Going)
3

I went to the library to study for my exam.

Expressing Purpose with To and For
4

She called to apologise for being late.

Expressing Purpose with To and For
5

Can you pass me the salt, please?

Verbs with Two Objects: Give Me the Book / Give the Book to Me
6

Can you pass the salt to me, please?

Verbs with Two Objects: Give Me the Book / Give the Book to Me

frontend.learn_grammar.chapter_tips (3)

💡

Memorize in pairs

Learn the verb and its complement together.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns (Want to Go / Enjoy Going)
💡

The Verb Test

If you are about to say a verb, use 'to'. If you are about to say a noun, use 'for'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Expressing Purpose with To and For
💡

Focus Matters

Put the person first if they are the main focus. Put the thing first if it is the main focus.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs with Two Objects: Give Me the Book / Give the Book to Me

frontend.learn_grammar.chapter_quick_practice (9)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

I finish to work.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I finish working
Finish takes a gerund.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns (Want to Go / Enjoy Going)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I am here to learn.
Use 'to' + base verb.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Expressing Purpose with To and For

Fill in the blank.

I want ___ (go) home.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to go
Want takes an infinitive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns (Want to Go / Enjoy Going)

Choose the correct form.

I enjoy ___ (read).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: reading
Enjoy takes a gerund.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns (Want to Go / Enjoy Going)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Explain me the rule.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Explain the rule to me.
Explain requires a preposition.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs with Two Objects: Give Me the Book / Give the Book to Me

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

I need a pen for write.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Both are correct.
Both 'to write' and 'for writing' can indicate purpose for an object.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Expressing Purpose with To and For

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I sent him a letter.
Person-first structure needs no preposition.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs with Two Objects: Give Me the Book / Give the Book to Me

Fill in the blank.

I gave ___ the book.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: him
Person comes first, no preposition.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbs with Two Objects: Give Me the Book / Give the Book to Me

Fill in the blank with 'to' or 'for'.

I went to the store ___ buy milk.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to
Use 'to' before a verb.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Expressing Purpose with To and For

Score: /9

frontend.learn_grammar.chapter_common_questions (6)

It marks the infinitive form.
Some verbs take both, like 'like'.
No, never. Use 'to' instead.
Yes, or gerunds (verb-ing) when describing function.
Most of the time, yes. However, some verbs like 'explain' only work with the 'to' pattern.
We use 'for' when the action is done for someone's benefit, like 'buying' or 'making'.
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Key Verbs: Go, Get, Do, Make and Phrasal Verbs
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Conditionals and Passive Voice
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