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C1 ADVANCED · GRAMMAR · PART 4

Verb patterns

Verbs + -ing or to, prepositions + -ing, be made to do, and expressions like there's no point in.

Finn the puffin with glasses and a book, your grammar teacher
Finn says

At C1, Part 4 often mixes a verb pattern with something else: a passive, a negative or a preposition. Know the pattern and you can build the rest around it.

The main patterns

verb + -ing
avoid, deny, risk, resent, can't help, feel like, regret
I couldn't help laughing.
verb + to-infinitive
afford, manage, fail, tend, refuse, claim, pretend
She failed to mention the problem.
verb + object + to-infinitive
urge, persuade, remind, encourage, allow, force
They urged us to leave.
make / let
make / let + object + infinitive; passive: be made to do
He was made to apologise.

Prepositions + -ing

verb / adjective + preposition
insist on, object to, succeed in, be used to
She insisted on paying. I'm used to working late.
verb + object + preposition
prevent / stop someone from, accuse someone of
The noise prevented me from sleeping.
noun + preposition
no point (in), no difficulty (in), no intention of, a reputation for
There's no point in arguing.
without / instead of / apart from
+ -ing
He left without even saying goodbye.

A change of meaning

remember / forget
+ -ing = the memory; + to = the task
I'll never forget meeting her.
try
+ -ing = an experiment; + to = make an effort
Try turning it off and on again.
go on
+ -ing = continue; + to = do something new next
She went on to become a famous writer.
mean
+ -ing = involve; + to = intend
The new job means moving to Cork.

How it comes up in Part 4

In Part 4 you complete the second sentence with the key word, so that it means the same as the first one (3–6 words).

I find it easy to talk to strangers.
DIFFICULTY
I have no difficulty in talking to strangers.

Have no difficulty (in) + -ing = find something easy.

It is pointless to complain to the manager.
POINT
There is no point in complaining to the manager.

There's no point (in) + -ing.

After retiring from football, he became a successful coach.
WENT
After retiring from football, he went on to become a successful coach.

Go on + to-infinitive = do something new next.

Common mistakes

  • ✗ I'm not used to get up so early.✓ I'm not used to getting up so early.'To' is a preposition here: be used to + -ing.
  • ✗ He was made apologise.✓ He was made to apologise.Make + infinitive without 'to', but be made + to-infinitive.
  • ✗ She objected to be treated like a child.✓ She objected to being treated like a child.Object to + -ing (here a passive -ing: being treated).
Finn the puffin, smiling kindly
Finn's exam tip

Look for hidden prepositions: object to, be used to, look forward to, when it comes to. After them the verb takes -ing – often a passive -ing like 'being told'.

Quick check

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use the key word and write 3–6 words.

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