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Special Problems with Verbs Resource
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RULE 1:

Include helping verbs as needed to create special tenses.


Present progressive: 
The committee is meeting right now.
 
[helping verb = is; main verb = meeting]
 
Present perfect: 
The committee has met here before.
 
[helping verb = has; main verb = met]
 
Past perfect: 
The committee had voted to adjourn.
 
[helping verb = had; main verb = voted]
 
Future: 
The committee will meet tomorrow.
 
[helping verb = will; main verb = meet]

PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 1



RULE 2:

Learn to use modals. Modals are used before the simple form of the main verb to create special meaning.

Susan can run the mile in under nine minutes.
(Susan is able to run the mile in under nine minutes.)

The soldiers must lay down their arms.
(The soldiers are required to lay down their arms.)

We could study better if the library were quieter.
(We would be able to study better if the library were quieter.)

MODALS

canmaywillwould
couldmightshallshould
 must  

PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 2



RULE 3:

When using modals to describe situations in the past, use the past modal + simple form or the past modal + the past perfect form of the main verb.

Not: I could walked when I was six months old.
But: I could walk when I was six months old.

Not: Carol might was there.
But: Carol might have been there.

PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 3



RULE 4:

Combine gerunds and infinitives correctly with verbs.


A gerund is an -ing noun formed from a verb; it stands for an activity.

Eating is my favorite pastime.

An infinitive is the basic form of a verb preceded by -to. Infinitives act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.

Noun: 
To serve others is her only desire.
Adjective: 
I have made a list of people to call.
Adverb: 
I run to lose weight.

Observe the following rules when you combine gerunds and infinitives with verbs:

  1. Some verbs take both gerunds and infinitives.
  2. Infinitive: I love to swim in the ocean.

    OR

      Gerund: I love swimming in the ocean.

  3. Other verbs have different meanings when combined with gerunds and infinitives.
  4. Infinitive: Sandy forgot to unplug the coffee pot.
      Gerund: Sandy forgot unplugging the coffee pot.

    [In the first example, Sandy did not unplug the coffee pot. In the second, she unplugged the coffee pot but forgot she had done so.]

  5. Some verbs can be used with gerunds but not with infinitives. In general, these are transitive verbs, which take direct objects.
  6. Not: I imagined to be rich.
    But:  I imagined being rich.

Verbs to Use with Gerunds, Not with Infinitives

admitdenyendurepracticereject
approvediscussfinishpreventsuggest
avoiddisprovegive uprecallunderstand
considerdispute- - -recommend
  1. Some verbs can be used with infinitives but not with gerunds.
  2. Not:  I want sleeping for a week.
    But:  I want to sleep for a week.

Verbs to Use with Infinitives, Not with Gerunds

askdemandlongrefuse
agreedesireplansay
arrangeexpectpledgeswear

decline

- - -promisevow

PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 4



RULE 5:

Learn which phrasal verbs can be separated by a noun or pronoun and which cannot.


Phrasal verbs consist of a verb + a preposition which together have an entirely different meaning from the verb alone. For example, the verb look simply means "see," but look ahead means "plan or predict."

  1. A noun or pronoun can be placed between the verb and the preposition in some phrasal verbs:
  2. He threw out the old newspaper. (discarded)

    He threw the old newspaper out..

    OR

    He threw it out.

  3. With other phrasal verbs, a noun or pronoun cannot be placed between the verb and the preposition.
  4. She came upon a little cottage. (discovered)

    BUT

    Not:  She came a little cottage upon.

    Not:  She came it upon.

Phrasal Verbs Whose Parts Can Be Separated

call offcall upcross outfill outgive back
hand inlook up pick upthink overthrow out

Phrasal Verbs Whose Parts Cannot Be Separated

call on

check into

come acrossget onget over
look after

run into

run out oftake aftertake care of

PRACTICE EXERCISES FOR RULE 5








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