Verb complementation describes the grammatical structures that can follow a verb, a concept defined in detail by the Oxford Learner's Dictionaries. Different verbs require different patterns, and using the wrong pattern is one of the most common grammar errors at CEFR scale B2 level. This guide covers the five main patterns with clear lists and examples.
Pattern 1: Verb + to-Infinitive
These verbs are followed directly by a to-infinitive: want, hope, decide, plan, choose, manage, fail, afford, agree, refuse, promise, offer, expect, need, learn, arrange, attempt, tend, appear, seem. She wants to leave. He managed to finish on time. They decided to stay.
Pattern 2: Verb + Gerund (-ing)
These verbs must be followed by an -ing form: enjoy, avoid, deny, admit, suggest, consider, mind, risk, miss, finish, practise, keep, imagine, dislike, fancy, involve, delay, postpone. I enjoy swimming. She avoids eating meat. He denied taking the money.
Pattern 3: Verb + Object + to-Infinitive
These verbs take an object (a person) then a to-infinitive: want, ask, tell, order, invite, expect, encourage, allow, persuade, advise, warn, remind, teach, help, force, cause. She asked me to leave. They told him to stop. I want her to succeed.
Pattern 4: Verb + Bare Infinitive (no 'to')
Bare infinitives follow modal verbs, make, let, help and perception verbs in active voice (see, hear, watch, notice, feel): He made her cry. Let me help. I heard him sing. She watched them play. In passive voice, perception verbs switch to to-infinitive: He was made to cry. She was heard to sing.
Pattern 5: Verb + Object + -ing (Ongoing Action)
Perception verbs (see, watch, hear, notice, feel, catch, find) can take object + -ing to describe an action in progress: I saw him running. She heard them arguing. I caught him stealing.
Meaning Changes: stop, remember, try, regret, mean
- stop + -ing = cease: He stopped smoking. | stop + to-inf = pause to do: He stopped to smoke.
- remember + -ing = past memory: I remember meeting her. | remember + to-inf = future task: Remember to lock the door.
- try + -ing = experiment: Try adding salt. | try + to-inf = attempt: Try to be on time.
Common Mistakes
- Wrong: I enjoy to swim. Correct: I enjoy swimming.
- Wrong: She made him to apologise. Correct: She made him apologise. (bare infinitive after make)
- Wrong: I want that she comes. Correct: I want her to come. (object + to-infinitive, not that-clause)
Practice Exercises
Grammar Quiz
Choose the correct complement pattern for each verb.
Cloze Dropdown
Select infinitive or gerund in verb complementation gaps.
Complete the Sentence
Add the correct complement form to complete each sentence.
Flash Cards
Learn verb lists for each complementation pattern.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is verb complementation?
Verb complementation describes the grammatical structures that can follow a verb. In English, some verbs must be followed by a to-infinitive (want to go), others by a gerund (enjoy going), some an object + infinitive (want her to go), and others a bare infinitive (make him go). Getting the pattern right is essential for accuracy at B2 and above.
What is the difference between a to-infinitive and a bare infinitive?
A to-infinitive includes 'to': want to go, decide to stay. A bare infinitive is the base form without 'to': make him go, let her stay, help me understand. Bare infinitives follow modal verbs (can, must, will), perception verbs in active voice (I saw him run), and causative 'make' and 'let'. After 'help', both are possible: Help me to understand / Help me understand.
Which common verbs are followed by a gerund?
enjoy, avoid, deny, admit, suggest, consider, mind, risk, miss, finish, practise, keep, imagine, dislike, resist, postpone, delay, recall, feel like, give up, put off, look forward to. Memory trick: many gerund verbs relate to past, ongoing or general activities. Check: can you say '(the) ___ing'? If the verb makes sense as a noun (Smoking is bad), it is likely a gerund context.
What verbs change meaning depending on whether they are followed by a gerund or infinitive?
stop + -ing (cease): She stopped working at 5. Stop + to-inf (pause to do): She stopped to read a sign. Remember + -ing (recall past): I remember meeting him. Remember + to-inf (not forget to do): Remember to call her. Try + -ing (experiment): Try adding lemon. Try + to-inf (make effort): Try to be on time. Forget + -ing (memory): I'll never forget visiting Paris. Forget + to-inf (fail to do): I forgot to send the email.
What is the verb + object + infinitive pattern and which verbs use it?
This pattern has a verb, then an object (usually a person), then a to-infinitive: She asked him to leave. I told her to stop. They warned us not to trust him. Common verbs: want, ask, tell, order, invite, expect, encourage, allow, persuade, advise, warn, remind, teach, cause, force, get, help. Note: 'suggest' cannot use this pattern in standard British English: NOT I suggest you to go. Use 'suggest that you go' or 'suggest going'.
When do perception verbs take -ing vs bare infinitive?
Perception verbs take a bare infinitive for a complete action: I saw her cross the road. (the whole crossing). They take -ing for an action in progress: I saw her crossing the road. (in the middle of it). The distinction mirrors simple vs continuous aspect. In the passive, use to-infinitive: She was seen to cross the road.
Why do some verbs take a to-infinitive after an object but not others?
It depends on the verb's meaning. Verbs of desire/command/permission (want, tell, allow, order) take object + to-infinitive because they describe directing someone else's action. Verbs like 'suggest', 'mention', 'recommend', and 'propose' do NOT take object + infinitive in British English; they take a that-clause or gerund: She suggested going (not suggested us to go).
What verbs can be followed by both a that-clause and an infinitive?
Many mental and reporting verbs allow both: I think that she is right / I think her to be right (formal). I believe he is honest / I believe him to be honest (formal). The object + infinitive pattern is more formal and literary; the that-clause is more common in both spoken and written English.
What is a catenative verb?
A catenative verb is a verb that can be followed by another verb (in infinitive or gerund form), creating a chain: She seems to be going to try to start working. Common catenatives: manage, tend, appear, seem, happen (+ to-infinitive); go on, keep, carry on, be used to, be worth (+ gerund). 'Seem' and 'appear' only take to-infinitive: She seems to enjoy it (NOT She seems enjoying it).
How is verb complementation tested in Cambridge and IELTS exams?
FCE (B2) and CAE (C1) sentence transformation tasks frequently test verb complementation: 'She didn't let him leave.' becomes 'He wasn't allowed to leave.' Error correction tasks identify wrong patterns (I enjoy to swim). In IELTS Writing, accurate verb patterns (suggest going, avoid making, look forward to hearing from you) contribute to Grammatical Range and Accuracy.