Why Verb Patterns Matter (কেন গুরুত্বপূর্ণ)
Whether a verb is followed by -ing ("enjoy reading") or to + verb ("want to read") is a hidden Band-7 accuracy test. These small choices appear in every essay and every Speaking answer, and getting them wrong is one of the fastest ways to slip from Band 7 back to Band 6.
একটি ক্রিয়ার পরে -ing ("enjoy reading") নাকি to + verb ("want to read") — এটি একটি লুকানো Band-7 নির্ভুলতা পরীক্ষা। প্রতিটি রচনা ও Speaking উত্তরে আসে; ভুল হলে দ্রুত Band 6-এ নেমে যায়।
Three reliable rules first: (1) after a preposition → always -ing; (2) as the subject of a sentence → -ing; (3) to express a purpose → to + verb. After a main verb, you must learn the pattern.
তিনটি নির্ভরযোগ্য নিয়ম: (১) preposition-এর পরে → সর্বদা -ing; (২) subject হিসেবে → -ing; (৩) উদ্দেশ্য বোঝাতে → to + verb।
Part of the Band 7+ grammar series. Full index on the Grammar hub.
Gerund vs Infinitive — The Decision (সিদ্ধান্ত)
Which Verb Takes What (কোন ক্রিয়ায় কী)
| Verb + gerund (-ing) | Verb + infinitive (to) |
|---|---|
| enjoy, avoid, consider, suggest, involve, mind, finish, keep, practise, deny, risk, imagine, recommend | want, decide, hope, plan, agree, refuse, offer, manage, afford, promise, tend, aim, fail, learn |
| Cities should avoid expanding too fast. | The government plans to build more housing. |
Verbs that take BOTH — with a meaning change
| Verb | + gerund | + infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| stop | stop doing = quit the action He stopped smoking. | stop to do = pause in order to do He stopped to smoke. |
| remember | remember doing = a memory I remember locking it. | remember to do = a task not to forget Remember to lock it. |
| forget | forget doing = a past memory | forget to do = fail to do a task |
| try | try doing = experiment with | try to do = make an effort |
| regret | regret doing = sorry about the past | regret to do = sorry to announce (formal) |
Some verbs take an object first: want / advise / encourage / allow / persuade / warn + somebody + to do. "The policy encourages people to recycle."
কিছু ক্রিয়ায় আগে object: advise/encourage/allow + somebody + to do।
Preposition, Adjective & Noun Patterns (নমুনা)
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| preposition + gerund | interested in learning; capable of solving; instead of banning |
| "to" as a preposition + gerund ⚠️ | look forward to receiving; be used to living; object to paying |
| adjective + infinitive | It is important to invest; easy to solve; difficult to measure |
| noun + infinitive | the ability to adapt; a decision to build; a need to act |
| too / enough + infinitive | too expensive to afford; cheap enough to buy |
| spend/waste time + gerund | People spend hours commuting to work. |
| it's worth + gerund | It is worth considering the long-term effects. |
The famous trap: in "look forward to", "be used to", "object to", the word "to" is a preposition, so it must be followed by -ing, not the base verb. "I look forward to hearing from you" (not "to hear").
বিখ্যাত ফাঁদ: "look forward to", "be used to"-তে "to" একটি preposition, তাই পরে -ing।
Causatives & Bare Infinitive (কার্যকারক)
These sophisticated patterns are a nice Band 7–8 touch. এই পরিশীলিত প্যাটার্ন Band 7–8-এর সুন্দর ছোঁয়া।
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| have / get something done | arrange for someone else to do it | People have their cars serviced regularly. |
| make / let + sb + bare verb | force / allow (no "to") | Advertising makes people buy more. · Rules let citizens vote. |
| help + (to) do | assist (both forms fine) | Technology helps students (to) learn faster. |
| see / hear + sb + do / doing | perception verbs | We saw prices rise sharply. · I heard him speaking. |
| had better / would rather + bare verb | advice / preference | Governments had better act now. |
Reported Speech & Reporting Verbs (পরোক্ষ উক্তি)
Reporting what others say is essential for Task 2 ("critics argue that…") and Speaking. When the reporting verb is past, the reported tense usually shifts back one step. অন্যের কথা বলা Task 2 ও Speaking-এ জরুরি। reporting verb অতীত হলে reported কাল সাধারণত এক ধাপ পিছিয়ে যায়।
Reporting verb patterns (learn these)
| Pattern | Verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb + that + clause | say, argue, claim, suggest, admit, point out | Experts argue that zoos do little for conservation. |
| verb + gerund | suggest, recommend, deny, admit | The study recommends reducing car use. |
| verb + sb + to do | advise, encourage, urge, warn, ask, tell | Doctors advise people to exercise daily. |
| say vs tell | say (no person) / tell + person | She said that… / She told me that… |
Band 6 → Band 7 Errors (সাধারণ ভুল)
Your Turn — Correct the Form (অনুশীলন)
Show a model answer
…consider investing… (consider + -ing)
Show a model answer
…addicted to using social media. ("to" = preposition)
Show a model answer
It is important to protect… (adjective + infinitive)
Show a model answer
…promised that they would reduce emissions. (will → would)
Show a model answer
…makes children want… (make + bare verb)
Next guide: Prepositions. Apply verb patterns in essays with the Cambridge IELTS companions.
পরের গাইড: Prepositions।