Verb patterns exercise for Pre-intermediate - Free Printable

Let’s go through each sentence one by one. We need to decide whether to use the infinitive (to + verb) or the -ing form (verb + ing) after each main verb or expression.

Here’s a quick reminder:
- Some verbs are followed by -ing: like, love, hate, enjoy, mind, feel like, look forward to, etc.
- Some verbs are followed by to + infinitive: want, would like, promise, learn, need, plan, decide, try (sometimes), etc.
- Some can take both, but meaning may change — we’ll stick to common usage here.
- After prepositions (like “about”, “of”, “for”), always use -ing.
- When the verb is the subject of the sentence, use -ing.

Now let’s solve each:

1) I love ___ (be) alone → “love” + -ing → being

2) I would like ___ (live) → “would like” + to + verb → to live

3) I don’t mind ___ (work) → “mind” + -ing → working

4) Jaune offered ___ (wash up) → “offer” + to + verb → to wash up

5) I hate ___ (be) late → “hate” + -ing → being

6) It is important ___ (not say) → “important” + to + verb → not to say

7) You forgot ___ (take out) → “forgot” + to + verb (you didn’t do it) → to take out

8) They want ___ (visit) → “want” + to + verb → to visit

9) Did you remember ___ (close) → “remember” + to + verb (did you do it?) → to close

10) I enjoy ___ (go) → “enjoy” + -ing → going

11) Paul promised ___ (call) → “promise” + to + verb → to call

12) Charlie learnt ___ (not lie) → “learn” + to + verb → not to lie

13) They needed ___ (go) → “need” + to + verb → to go

14) I feel like ___ (go) → “feel like” + -ing → going

15) It is fun ___ (be) → “fun” + to + verb OR -ing? Both possible, but “to be” more natural here → to be

16) ___ (smoke) is not allowed → subject of sentence → Smoking

17) It is difficult ___ (not say) → “difficult” + to + verb → not to say

18) I am looking forward to ___ (see) → “look forward to” + -ing → seeing

19) Decide what ___ (wear) → “decide” + to + verb → to wear

20) I am planning ___ (sell) → “plan” + to + verb → to sell

21) Have you ever thought about ___ (study) → “thought about” + -ing → studying

22) ___ (watch) TV series is the best way → subject → Watching

23) He pretended ___ (be) ill → “pretend” + to + verb → to be

24) Happiness is ___ (not have to) get up early → “is” + -ing (gerund as complement) → not having to

25) Try ___ (remember) → “try” + to + verb (make an effort) → to remember

✔ All checked and verified.

Final Answer:
1) being
2) to live
3) working
4) to wash up
5) being
6) not to say
7) to take out
8) to visit
9) to close
10) going
11) to call
12) not to lie
13) to go
14) going
15) to be
16) Smoking
17) not to say
18) seeing
19) to wear
20) to sell
21) studying
22) Watching
23) to be
24) not having to
25) to remember