VERB CONSTRUCTIONS 1 ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE PRE INTERMEDIATE

 

ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE PRE INTERMEDIATE UNIT 87 VERB CONSTRUCTIONS 1

 

A Verb + -ing form A number of verbs are commonly followed by an -ing form.   Common mistakes   I enjoy going there. (NOT I enjoy to go there.) They suggested leaving early. (NOT They suggested to leave early.) He recommended staying there. (NOT He recommended to stay there.) B Verb + to infinitive I hope to see them next week. [want to see them and believe I will see them] They agreed to help me. [said they will help] I intend to leave next month. [plan] I offered to help them. [said I was happy to help] I attempted to cook the dinner, but it was terrible. [tried] I promised to bring her book back. [said I would definitely bring it back] The shop assistant was very rude, so I demanded to see the manager. [said in a firm way] C Verb + (object) + preposition + noun/-ing A: Jo has just rung and asked me for advice about Greece. They’re thinking of1 going there. B: Well, be careful. They went to India last year on your advice and then blamed2 you for the terrible holiday they had. A: That was their fault. They insisted on3 going in the summer when it was far too hot. EXERCISES 87.1 Choose the correct word(s) to complete the sentences. 1 I hope seeing / to see them. 2 They agreed helping / to help me. 3 We enjoy staying / to stay by the sea. 4 I suggested going /to go on the train. 5 She insisted in / on paying for our meal. 6 We must attempt getting / to get there on time. 7 Have you considered working / to work in a bank? 8 I demanded speaking / to speak to the doctor in charge. 9 I asked him help / him for help. 10 They blamed me for / of it. 11 I don’t mind waiting / to wait for you. 12 I try to avoid travelling / to travel in the rush hour. 87.2 Complete the sentences with the most suitable verb. 1 Have you ______ asked ______ the waiter for the bill? 2 My sister is ___________ of spending the summer in France if she can afford it. 3 I’ve had a computer for about 20 years; I can’t ___________ being without one. 4 We always try to ___________ driving into town in the rush hour. 5 The accident wasn’t my fault but they ___________ me for it. 6 We’re ___________ to see my parents later this week. We had ___________ to go last week, but Madison was ill and we couldn’t go. 7 I ___________ meeting your friends; they were really nice. 8 Have you ever ___________ moving out of a town and going to live in the country? 9 I offered to drive, but Mason ___________ on taking his car because he said he ___________ being a passenger. 10 Ella’s parents weren’t happy with the school, and they ___________ to see the head teacher. 87.3 When you learn new verbs, you may need to know the constructions that are used with them. A good dictionary will give you this information, usually with examples. Using a good English dictionary, find the constructions that commonly follow these verbs. 87.4

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