Today we’re going to look at English verb patterns. We’re going to do simple ones today, then tomorrow things will be a bit more difficult. Remember, the thing about verb patterns is that you have to learn them, sometimes there is no logic to them.
Let’s see if you can do these. The questions are below, and then the answers of course. Fill in the gaps with whatever words or phrases you think are best. Some gaps will need nothing in them.
Questions
1. We spent a lot of money _______ food last week. 2. Don’t shout at me!! I spent 5 hours________(wash the dishes) last week. 3. My boyfriend makes me ________(clean) his underwear. 4. They need to tell _______ him the truth. 5. It took me five hours _________(convince) them to go bunjee-jumping. 6. We ________ (go) a walk in the park. 7. I’d love _________(buy) a houseboat but I just can’t afford it. 8. If you want _______ (repair) the car you need _______(buy) a new wheel. 9. My mum won’t let me _________(go out) and play. 10. I can’t stand ________ (sleep) outside 11. You should try _________ (do) it on your own. 12. They told the politician _________________(not be) happy. 13. He said he was speaking _________ us ________ the problem of punctuality. 14. Don’t fall in love_________ people who are much younger than you are. 15. You should share it_________ your sister. 16. It’s difficult __________(pick up) a language if you don’t speak it. 17. I’m trying to give up __________(break up) with people over the phone. 18. You should _______________(learn) keep your mouth shut when you’re eating.
Answers
1. We spent a lot of money ___on____ food last week. 2. Don’t shout at me!! I spent 5 hours___washing_____(wash) the dishes last week. 3. My boyfriend makes me __clean______(clean) his underwear. 4. They need to tell _______ him the truth. 5. It took me five hours ____to convince_____(convince) them to go bunjee-jumping. 6. We ____went for_______ (go) a walk in the park. 7. I’d love ___to buy______(buy) a houseboat but I just can’t afford it. 8. If you want ___to repair____ (repair) the car you need __to buy___(buy) a new wheel. 9. My mum won’t let me ___go out______(go out) and play. 10. I can’t stand __sleeping__ (sleep) outside. 11. You should try ___to do______ (do) it on your own. 12. They told the politician ____that they weren't happy______(not be) happy. 13. He said he was speaking ___to______ us __about____ the problem of punctuality. 14. Don’t fall in love__with__ people who are much younger than you are. 15. You should share it__with___ your sister. 16. It’s difficult __to pick up___(pick up) a language if you don’t speak it. 17. I’m trying to give up _breaking up___(break up) with people over the phone. 18. You should ___learn to____________(learn) keep your mouth shut when you’re eating.
