Mastering English Verb Patterns and Specialized Vocabulary

Essential English Grammar: Verb Patterns

Verbs Followed by Gerund (V + ING)

These verbs require the gerund form (V + ING):

• love, hate, like, be good at, admit, appreciate, avoid, can’t help, consider, delay, deny, discuss, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, imagine, involve, mention, mind, miss, practice, and suggest.

Verbs Followed by Infinitive (To + Verb)

These verbs and phrases require the to + infinitive form:

• afford, agree, appear, arrange, ask, attempt, be careful, choose, be difficult, decide, expect, fail, happen, help, hope, intend, learn, manage, offer, need, plan, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, tend, tell, want, wish, and would like.

Verbs Followed by Bare Infinitive (Base Form)

The bare infinitive is used with:

• Modal verbs (e.g., can, must, should), causative verbs (make, let), verbs of perception (sense verbs), had better, and would rather.

Mastering Phrasal Verbs

Separable Phrasal Verbs

These verbs allow the object to be placed between the verb and the particle (e.g., switch it on). Common examples include:

• give away/up/back, throw away, set up, get back, fill in, pick up, turn down/up, switch off, try on, take out/back, put together, take apart, pay back, put away, call back, pay off.

Examples of Separable Usage

switch (something) on, sent it back, turn (something) down, took it back, picked up, paid her back, set (something) up, turn it off, pick them up, closed it down, take it away, gave it away, throw it away, turn it up.

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

The object must follow the particle (e.g., look after him). Common examples include:

• settle down, ask for, get up, close down, look for and look round, lend to, live on, fit in, take after, take up, be away, come back, set off, take off (meaning 'to leave'), get on with, be out of, leave on.

Examples of Inseparable Usage

live off, grew up, we're out of, looking forward to it, looking for them, looked after him, asked for it.

Common Phrasal Verb Meanings (Take & Throw)

• Take it out: To remove something from an enclosed space.
• Take it away: To move something from one place to another, or to remove/subtract.
• Take it off: To remove clothing, or for an aircraft to lift off/depart.
• Throw it away: To discard something (trash/waste).

Contextual Phrasal Verb Examples

run away, be away, put away, take away, get it back, call back, be back, give it back.

taking my girlfriend out, taking on ten new employees, take after my mother, took off 20% (discount), taken over by a new company, take off shoes, take apart keyboard, take up cycling.

Specialized English Vocabulary

Banking and Financial Terms

Key terms related to cash and transactions:

• Take out / Withdraw (cash): Sacar (to remove money).
• Notes: Banknote/Bill.
• Receipt: Proof of payment.
• Put into / Insert / Enter: Meter (to place inside).
• Bank account or statement.
• Give out: To distribute.
• Give away: To give as a gift.
• Amount: Quantity.
• Account type, Transaction, Credit card, ATM, Cash machine, Cashpoint.
• Out of service: Not working.
• 4-digit PIN: Personal Identification Number.
• Step up / Top up: To increase or add funds.

Live Events, Concerts, and Theatre

Vocabulary for performances, venues, and atmosphere:

• Box office: Ticket sales.
• Performance: Actuación.
• Stage: Escenario.
• Stalls / Circle: Seating areas (butaca/sitio).
• Matinee: Afternoon performance.
• Pub: Bar.
• Plot: Storyline.
• Programme: Event schedule.
• Row: Line of seats.
• Scene: Part of a play.
• Score: Result (in sports).
• Tickets.

Sports and Venue Terms

live event, concert, theatre, sporting event, crowd, stadium, half-time, interval, arena, audience, curtain, extra time, fans, final whistle, opponent, spectators.

Atmosphere and General Terms

thriving (prospering), bear (to tolerate/support), close, lie, minute, second, wind, atmosphere, comfort, noise, people, safety, weather, take place.

Game Types

board game, brain-training game, card game, role-playing game, video game.

Grammar Exercise Solutions and Examples

Verb Pattern Exercise Answers (1-10)

1. to pick up
2. going
3. not being able
4. to buy
5. to go
6. going
7. to not sit
8. hurry
9. living
10. imagine not having

Causative and Request Examples (1-8)

1. me to go to the cinema.
2. to help.
3. her leave.
4. me to go.
5. him move.
6. practicing.
7. us to have dinner.
8. going.