TOEFL PREPARATION MODUL from BARRON : Problems with Main Verbs

By pushbrain.blogspot.com 02 Jun, 2012

A. Problem with Verbs

Every verb in English can be described by the following formula:

VERB = tense + (modal) + (have + participle) + (be + -ing) + verb word

*Problems with Main Verbs

1. Missing Main Verbs

Remember that every English sentence must have a subject and a main verb.

S	V
The sound of the dryer	bother	my concentration

Avoid using an -ingfon, an infinitive, an auxiliary verb, or another part of speech instead of a main verb.

Examples:

· INCORRECT : The prettiest girl in our class with long brown hair and brown eyes.

CORRECT : The prettiest girl in our class has long brown hair and brown eyes.

· INCORRECT : In my opinion, too soon to make a decision.

CORRECT : In my opinion, it too 'soon to make a decision.

· INCORRECT : Do you know whether the movie that starts at seven?

CORRECT : Do you know whether the movie that starts at seven k good?

Do you know whether the movie starts at seven?

· INCORRECT : Sam almost always a lot of fun.

CORRECT :Sam almost always a lot of fun.

· INCORRECT :The book that I lent you having a good bibliography.

CORRECT :The book that I lent you has a good bibliography.

Exercises :

· Part A: Choose the correct answer.

Arizona ... a very dry climate.

a. has

b. being

c. having

d. with

· Part B: Choose the incorrect word or phrase and correct it.

Venomous snakes with (a) modified teeth connected to poison glands (b) in which (c) the venom is secreted (d) and stored.

2. Verbs that Require an Infinitive in the Complement

Remember that the following verbs require an infinitive for a verb in the complement.

agree decide hesitate need refuse

appear demand hope offer seem

arrange deserve intend plan tend

ask expect learn prepare threaten

claim fail manage pretend wait

consent forget mean promise want

S + V + to Infinitive + M

ex : We had planned to leave the day before yesterday

Avoid using an -ing form after the verbs listed. Avoid using a verb word after want.

Examples:

· INCORRECT : He wanted speak with Mr. Brown.

CORRECT : He wanted to speak with Mr. Brown.

· INCORRECT : We demand knowing our status.

CORRECT : We demand to know our status.

· INCORRECT : I intend the inform you that we cannot approve your application.

CORRECT : I intend to inform you that we cannot approve your application.

· INCOPRECT : They didn't plan buying a car.

CORRECT : They didn't plan to buy a car.

· INCORRECT : The weather tends improving in May.

CORRECT : The weather tends to improve in May.

Exercise:

Part A: Choose the correct answer.

· One of the least effective ways of storing information is learning ... it.

a. how repeat

b. repeating

c. to repeat

d. repeat

Part B: Choose the incorrect word or phrase and correct it.

· Representative democracy seemed evolve (a) simultaneously (b) during (c)the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Britain, Europe, and the United States (d).

3. Verbs that Require an -ing Form in the Complement

Remember that the following verbs require an -ing form for a verb in the complement:

admit enjoy recall

appreciate finish recommend

avoid keep regret

complete mention risk

consider . miss stop

delay postpone suggest

deny practice tolerate

discuss quit understand

S + v + gerund (-ing form) + M

Ex : He enjoys traveling by plane

Avoid using an infinitive after the verbs listed.

Forbid may be used with either an infinitive or an -ing complement, but forbid from is not idiomatic.

Example :

· INCORRECT : She is considering not to go.

CORRECT : She is considering not going.

· INCORRECT : We enjoyed talk with your friend.

CORRECT : We enioyed talking with your friend.

· INCORRECT : Hank completed the writing his thesis this summer.

CORRECT : Hank completed writing his thesis this summer.

· INCORRECT : I miss to watch the news when I am traveling.

CORRECT : I miss watching the news when I am traveling.

· INCORRECT : She mentions stop at El Paso in her letter.

CORRECT : She mentions stopping, at El Paso in her letter.

Exercise :

Part A: Choose the correct answer.

Strauss finished ... two of his published compositions before his tenth birthday.

a. written

b. write

c. to write

d. writing

Part B: Choose the incorrect word or phrase and correct it.

Many (a) people have stopped to smoke (b) because(c) they are afraid that it may be (d) harmful to their health.

4. Verb Phrases that Require an -ing Form in the Complement

Remember that the following verb phrases require an -ing form for a verb in the complement:

approve of do not mind keep on

be better off forget about look forward to

can't help get through object to

count on insist on think about

think of

S + Verb (Ph) + V –ing + M

Ex: She forgot about canceling her appointment

Avoid using an infinitive after the verb phrases listed. Avoid using a verb word after look forward to and object to.Remember that the verb phrase BE likely does not require an -ing form but requires an infinitive in the complement.

Example :

· INCORRECT : She is likely knowing.

CORRECT : She is likely to know.

· INCORRECT : Let's go to the movie when you get through to study.

CORRECT : Let's go to the movie when you get trough studying.

· INCORRECT : We can't help to wonder why she left.

CORRECT : We can't help wondering why she left.

· INCORRECT : I have been looking forward to meet you.

CORRECT : I have been looking forward to meeting you.

· INCORRECT : We wouldn't mind to wait.

CORRECT : We wouldn't mind waiting.

Exercise :

Part A: Choose the correct answer.

Many modern architects insist on ... materials native to the region that will blend into the

surrounding landscape.

a. use

b. to use

c. the use

d. using

Part B: Chme the incorrect word or phrase and correct it.

During Jackson's administration, those who (a) did not approve of permit (b) common people in the White House were shocked (c) by the president's insistence that they be invited (d) into the mansion.

to be CONTINUED in next part ^^"