Verb Patterns- The Grammar Gameshow Episode 7

Hello and welcome to today’s Grammar Gameshow! I’m your host, Will! - at least, if I’m able to! And of course, let’s not forget Leslie, our all-knowing voice in the sky. Hello everyone! Tonight we’re going to be asking 3 questions about… Verb patterns When two verbs are used together in English, which forms do they take? OK! Now, let’s meet our contestants! Hello, everyone. I’m Mya! Contestant number two. Hello, everyone. My name’s Helen! Welcome back Mya! Four in a row. Wow! We’ve never had a contestant on for so long… we’re all starting to get a little bit sick of your face! Ok. Let’s get going and don’t forget you can play along at home too. Our first round is a matching round. Listen to each of these sentences and tell me what form the verb ‘dance’ takes in each one. I can… dance Correct! I enjoy… dancing Correct! I would like… to dance Correct! I intend… to dance Correct! I must… dance Correct! I can’t help… dancing Correct! Leslie? All correct, well done. Some verbs, such as modal verbs like can and must, are followed by a bare infinitive. Some verbs, such as would like and intend, are followed by a full infinitive. Finally, some verbs, such as enjoy and can’t help, are followed by an ING form. These are called verb patterns. A pattern is something that repeats itself over and over again. Like calling my ex at 4am… Well done! But, if you want any points, you’ll have to fulfil your promise. Promise? Why to dance, of course! Alright, not bad. Mya, I liked your finger thing there, and Helen - oh, good moves! Have two points each. Now, on to our second question. Happy, terrible and wonderful are all what types of word? How does this relate to verb patterns? They’re all adjectives. Aren’t adjectives always followed by an ING verb? Leslie? Sorry…almost. They are indeed adjectives. When an adjective is followed by a verb, its form is usually a full infinitive - for example, it’s wonderful to see you! Wonderful to see you too, Leslie! Wherever you are! Sorry Helen, I’m going to have to take away 10 points. Oh wait…look. Will: Yes! You know, I used to have a pet octopus. Thirty points to you! No one likes an attention seeker, Mya. Here comes our third question! Look at these sentences and tell me what kind of verb pattern follows each one. I believe without… Turn off the alarm before… I want to sit instead of … They all end with a preposition. After the preposition, we use an ING verb. Leslie? Yes, Mya. As Mya just mentioned, we usually follow prepositions with ING verbs and not full or bare infinitives. I believe without seeing. Turn off the alarm before leaving. I want to sit instead of standing. Well done, Mya. I’d give you some points, but I don’t want you to win! And that brings us to the end of today’s Grammar Gameshow. Let’s count out the points. And the winner is…. Helen, with more than Mya! Well done! Here’s what you’ve won! It’s a tin opener! Look at that handle action! Wow! An opener for a tin can be useful in oh so many situations! And Mya, my oldest friend. I wanted you to keep winning for ever and ever. But alas. Are you happy? I don’t want to … Watch out for the squirrels! It looks like we’ll need another contestant. Thanks for joining us. Say goodbye Leslie Goodbye Leslie See you next time.