Verb Patterns - ESL worksheet by gloriawpai - Free Printable

Let’s go through each sentence one by one. We need to fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in parentheses — either the infinitive (to + verb) or the gerund (verb + ing). The choice depends on the main verb before the blank.

Here’s a quick guide:
- Some verbs are followed by to + infinitive: want, hope, would like, decide, plan, etc.
- Some verbs are followed by gerund (-ing): enjoy, dislike, love, hate, start, finish, etc.
- Some can take both, but meaning may change slightly — we’ll use common usage here.

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1. I would like to come → “would like” is always followed by “to + verb”

2. He enjoys having → “enjoy” is followed by gerund

3. She wanted to talk → “want” is followed by “to + verb”

4. I am thinking of learning → Wait! Actually, “think” when meaning “consider” is often followed by “about + gerund” or “of + gerund”. But in this context (“I am thinking ___ English”), it’s likely meant as “planning to learn”, so maybe “to learn”? Let’s check standard patterns.

Actually, “think” alone isn’t usually followed directly by infinitive or gerund without preposition. But in many textbooks, “I’m thinking of learning” is correct. However, looking at the structure, perhaps they expect “to learn” if it’s about intention? Hmm.

Wait — let’s look again: “I am thinking ___ (learn) English so I can get a promotion.” This sounds like “I am considering learning” → so “of learning” or just “learning”? But the blank doesn’t have space for “of”.

Actually, in some contexts, “thinking” can be followed by “about + gerund”, but since there’s no preposition given, and the pattern is “thinking ___”, maybe it’s a mistake? Or perhaps they mean “I am thinking to learn” — which is not standard.

Hold on — let me double-check common verb patterns.

Actually, “think” is NOT typically followed directly by an infinitive or gerund. It’s usually “think about doing something” or “think of doing something”.

But since this is a worksheet, and other sentences follow clear patterns, perhaps #4 is meant to be “I am thinking of learning” — but the blank doesn’t include “of”. Maybe it’s a typo? Or perhaps in some dialects?

Alternatively, maybe it’s “I am thinking about learning” — same issue.

Wait — let’s skip and come back. Maybe the intended answer is “to learn” even though it’s not grammatically perfect? No, that’s wrong.

Actually, upon second thought — in informal English, sometimes people say “I’m thinking to do X”, but it’s non-standard. For school purposes, we should stick to standard grammar.

Looking at similar worksheets online, sometimes “think” is paired with “about + gerund”, but since the blank is only for the verb form, perhaps they expect “learning” assuming “about” is implied? That doesn’t make sense.

Another idea: maybe it’s “I am thinking of learning” and the “of” is missing from the sentence? But the sentence says “I am thinking ____________ (learn)...”

Perhaps it’s a trick question? Or maybe I misread.

Let me read the original: “4. I am thinking _______________ (learn) English so I can get a promotion.”

In standard English, this should be “I am thinking of learning” or “I am thinking about learning”. Since neither “of” nor “about” is provided, and the blank is only for the verb form, perhaps the expected answer is “learning”, assuming the preposition is understood? That’s risky.

Alternatively, maybe it’s “to learn” — but that’s incorrect.

Wait — let’s check number 10: “He’s thinking _______________ (work) with us.” Same issue.

And number 22: “Are you thinking _______________ (call) your neighbor...”

So multiple instances of “thinking” followed by blank.

This suggests that the worksheet might be treating “think” as taking the gerund directly, which is not standard, OR they expect “to + verb” for future intention.

But actually, after research, “think” can be followed by “of + gerund” for consideration, and “to + infinitive” is rare and often considered incorrect.

However, in many ESL materials, they simplify and say:

- “think about/of + gerund” for considering
- “decide/want/hope + to + infinitive” for intention

Given that, and since the sentence says “so I can get a promotion”, it implies intention, so perhaps “to learn” is expected, even if not perfectly grammatical.

But let’s look at authoritative sources.

According to Cambridge Dictionary: “We don’t use think with an infinitive. We use think about/of + -ing form.”

Example: “I’m thinking of going to Spain next year.”

So for #4, it should be “of learning”, but since “of” isn’t in the blank, and the blank is only for the verb, perhaps the worksheet has a flaw.

But wait — maybe the blank includes the preposition? No, the instruction is to put the verb in correct form, implying we add “to” or “-ing” as needed.

Perhaps for “think”, they expect the gerund, assuming “about” or “of” is implied.

To resolve this, let’s see what makes sense with the rest.

Look at #10: “He’s thinking _______________ (work) with us.” If he’s considering working, then “working” with “of” implied.

Similarly, #22: “Are you thinking _______________ (call) your neighbor...” — probably “calling”.

So for consistency, I’ll assume that for “think” in these contexts, they want the gerund, as in “thinking of [gerund]”.

So:

4. learning

10. working

22. calling

But let’s confirm with other verbs.

Back to #1: “would like” → to come

#2: “enjoys” → having

#3: “wanted” → to talk

#5: “hope” → to travel (hope is followed by to + verb)

#6: “enjoyed” → visiting

#7: “started” → cooking (start can take both, but gerund is common for actions)

#8: “loves” → studying

#9: “dislike” → waiting

#10: “thinking” → working (as discussed)

#11: “would like” → to help

#12: “enjoy” → going

#13: “hopes” → to finish

#14: “don’t like” → taking (like can take both, but for general preference, gerund is fine; however, “I don’t like taking the bus” is natural)

#15: “hope” → to visit

#16: “wants” → to go

#17: “are going” → to start (“be going to” is followed by base verb, but here it’s “going ____________ (start)”, so likely “to start” as part of “be going to”)

Wait, “They are going _______________ (start) college” — this is “be going to + verb”, so “to start”

#18: “don’t want” → to leave

#19: “don’t like” → eating

#20: “like” → buying (for habitual action, gerund is used)

#21: “hope” → to have

#22: “thinking” → calling (as above), and then “tell them to stop _______________ (make) noise?” — “stop” can be followed by gerund (stop making noise) or infinitive (stop to make noise), but here it’s “stop making noise”, so “making”

The sentence is: “Are you thinking _______________ (call) your neighbor and tell them to stop _______________ (make) noise?”

So first blank: calling (for “thinking of calling”)

Second blank: making (for “stop making noise”)

#23: “want” → to drink

#24: “Would you like” → to meet

#25: “is going” → to retire (“be going to” + base verb)

Now, let’s list all answers:

1. to come
2. having
3. to talk
4. learning (assuming "thinking of learning")
5. to travel
6. visiting
7. cooking
8. studying
9. waiting
10. working
11. to help
12. going
13. to finish
14. taking
15. to visit
16. to go
17. to start
18. to leave
19. eating
20. buying
21. to have
22. calling, making
23. to drink
24. to meet
25. to retire

For #4, #10, #22, I’m using gerund for “thinking”, which is standard with “of/about”, but since the preposition isn’t written, it’s a bit ambiguous, but in context, it’s acceptable for this level.

Also, for #7: “I’ve started _______________ (cook) dinner” — “started” can be followed by gerund or infinitive, but gerund is more common for beginning an action.

Similarly, #14: “I don’t like _______________ (take) the bus” — gerund for general dislike.

#20: “I like _______________ (buy) bread” — gerund for habitual action.

All seem consistent.

Final Answer:
1. to come
2. having
3. to talk
4. learning
5. to travel
6. visiting
7. cooking
8. studying
9. waiting
10. working
11. to help
12. going
13. to finish
14. taking
15. to visit
16. to go
17. to start
18. to leave
19. eating
20. buying
21. to have
22. calling, making
23. to drink
24. to meet
25. to retire