English Patterns

8 useful structures to build better sentences
English Patterns · ACOBAS.net
START

English works with patterns.

Learn the shape of the sentence, then change the words.

Use ← → or the buttons. On practice slides, use A / Z / C / X.

OBJECT

One pattern, different objects

The police prevented him from leaving.

The firemen prevented the fire from spreading.

Object can be a person, an animal, a thing, an idea, a problem... In short: somebody or something.

PATTERN 1

Subject + Verb + Object + FROM + V-ING

preventstopkeep

The firemen prevented the fire from spreading.

Useful for prevention, interruption, obstacles.

PRACTICE 1

Complete - Pattern 1

Patterns in this practice
1Subject + Verb + Object + FROM + V-ING
  1. The fence stopped the dog escaping. from
  2. The alarm prevented the thieves from the shop. entering
  3. Stress kept him sleeping properly. from
PATTERN 2

Subject + Verb + Object + TO + Verb

wantencourageallowforceenableexpect

This app enables users to share documents.

A high-yield pattern for school, work, technology and opinions.

PRACTICE 2

Rebuild - Pattern 2

Patterns in this practice
2Subject + Verb + Object + TO + Verb
  1. the teacher / remind / us / bring our books
    ✓ The teacher reminded us to bring our books.
  2. new rules / require / companies / protect user data
    ✓ New rules require companies to protect user data.
  3. the video / encouraged / students / ask questions
    ✓ The video encouraged students to ask questions.
MEDLEY 1-2

Mini Medley - Patterns 1 and 2

Patterns in this practice
1Subject + Verb + Object + FROM + V-ING
2Subject + Verb + Object + TO + Verb
  1. The noise prevented me from . concentrating / sleeping
  2. The coach persuaded the team harder. to train
  3. Translate: Cette loi oblige les entreprises à être transparentes.
    ✓ This law requires companies to be transparent.
  4. Which pattern? "Nothing can stop the rumour from spreading." Pattern 1
PATTERN 3

Subject + Verb + Object + Verb

makelethelp

My parents let me use their camera.

Careful: no TO after make, let, help.

PRACTICE 3

Complete - Pattern 3

Patterns in this practice
3Subject + Verb + Object + Verb
  1. The film made me about climate change. think
  2. Our guide helped us the old city. discover / visit
  3. My parents let my sister the train alone. take
PATTERN 4

Subject + Verb + V-ING

keepavoidconsidersuggestmind

She kept asking useful questions.

These verbs are followed directly by V-ING.

PRACTICE 4

Translate / complete - Pattern 4

Patterns in this practice
4Subject + Verb + V-ING
  1. Elle évite de regarder son téléphone le soir.
    ✓ She avoids looking at her phone at night.
  2. They suggested the meeting earlier. starting / holding
  3. Would you mind more slowly? speaking
MEDLEY 3-4

Mini Medley - Patterns 3 and 4

Patterns in this practice
3Subject + Verb + Object + Verb
4Subject + Verb + V-ING
  1. The bad weather made us our plans. change
  2. He keeps the same mistake. making
  3. Rebuild: the app / help / users / save time
    ✓ The app helps users save time.
  4. Which pattern? "I am considering buying a second-hand laptop." Pattern 4
PATTERN 5

Subject + Verb + TO + Verb

managefailtendseemdeciderefuse

They managed to repair the computer.

Very useful for success, failure, tendencies and appearances.

PRACTICE 5

Complete / rebuild - Pattern 5

Patterns in this practice
5Subject + Verb + TO + Verb
  1. The company failed its promise. to keep
  2. Teenagers tend short videos online. to watch
  3. Rebuild: she / managed / finish / before the deadline
    ✓ She managed to finish before the deadline.
PATTERN 6

Preposition + V-ING

bywithoutinstead ofbeforeafter

You can improve by practising regularly.

After a preposition, use V-ING.

PRACTICE 6

Complete - Pattern 6

Patterns in this practice
6Preposition + V-ING
  1. Instead of a new phone, repair the old one. buying
  2. He answered the email without the attachment. opening / reading
  3. Before online, check the source. sharing / posting
MEDLEY 5-6

Mini Medley - Patterns 5 and 6

Patterns in this practice
5Subject + Verb + TO + Verb
6Preposition + V-ING
  1. She seems the instructions. to understand
  2. You can save energy by the lights. turning off
  3. Translate: Ils ont refusé de payer.
    ✓ They refused to pay.
  4. Which pattern? "After reading the article, I changed my mind." Pattern 6
PATTERN 7

TO + V-ING

look forward tobe used to

I look forward to hearing from you.

Here, TO is a preposition. So it is followed by V-ING.

PRACTICE 7

Complete - Pattern 7

Patterns in this practice
7TO + V-ING
  1. We look forward to your presentation. seeing / hearing
  2. I am used to with a deadline. working
  3. She is not used to in public. speaking
PATTERN 8

Fixed expression + V-ING

there is no point init is worth

It is worth watching carefully.

Short fixed expressions with a strong effect in written English.

PRACTICE 8

Complete / translate - Pattern 8

Patterns in this practice
8Fixed expression + V-ING
  1. There is no point in about the result now. complaining / worrying
  2. This museum is worth . visiting
  3. Ça ne sert à rien de mentir.
    ✓ There is no point in lying.
MEDLEY 7-8

Mini Medley - Patterns 7 and 8

Patterns in this practice
7TO + V-ING
8Fixed expression + V-ING
  1. I look forward to your answer. reading / receiving
  2. There is no point in the same argument. repeating
  3. Rebuild: this book / worth / read
    ✓ This book is worth reading.
  4. Which pattern? "They are used to working at night." Pattern 7
FINAL

Grand Medley - choose the right form

The 8 patterns
1Subject + Verb + Object + FROM + V-ING
2Subject + Verb + Object + TO + Verb
3Subject + Verb + Object + Verb
4Subject + Verb + V-ING
5Subject + Verb + TO + Verb
6Preposition + V-ING
7TO + V-ING
8Fixed expression + V-ING
  1. Security cameras prevent people from the rules. breaking
  2. My phone enables me photos quickly. to edit / to take
  3. The documentary made us differently. think
  4. They considered a cheaper solution. choosing / using
  5. He failed the file. to upload / to send
  6. Instead of , explain your idea. shouting / complaining
  7. We are used to in groups. working
  8. It is worth a second time. watching / reading
FINAL

Which pattern?

The 8 patterns
1Subject + Verb + Object + FROM + V-ING
2Subject + Verb + Object + TO + Verb
3Subject + Verb + Object + Verb
4Subject + Verb + V-ING
5Subject + Verb + TO + Verb
6Preposition + V-ING
7TO + V-ING
8Fixed expression + V-ING
  1. "The teacher let us use a dictionary." Pattern 3
  2. "The company tends to hire young graduates." Pattern 5
  3. "She left without answering." Pattern 6
  4. "This software allows users to create posters." Pattern 2
  5. "Bad weather kept the plane from taking off." Pattern 1
FINAL

Sort the verbs into patterns

The 8 patterns
1Subject + Verb + Object + FROM + V-ING
2Subject + Verb + Object + TO + Verb
3Subject + Verb + Object + Verb
4Subject + Verb + V-ING
5Subject + Verb + TO + Verb
6Preposition + V-ING
7TO + V-ING
8Fixed expression + V-ING

Verbs / expressions: prevent - allow - manage - suggest - without - look forward to - make - it is worth

  1. Pattern 1: prevent
  2. Pattern 2: allow
  3. Pattern 3: make
  4. Pattern 4: suggest
  5. Pattern 5: manage
  6. Pattern 6: without
  7. Pattern 7: look forward to
  8. Pattern 8: it is worth
BIG PICTURE

The Big Picture

The 8 patterns
1Subject + Verb + Object + FROM + V-ING
2Subject + Verb + Object + TO + Verb
3Subject + Verb + Object + Verb
4Subject + Verb + V-ING
5Subject + Verb + TO + Verb
6Preposition + V-ING
7TO + V-ING
8Fixed expression + V-ING

The pattern tells you what comes next: TO + Verb, V-ING, FROM + V-ING, or no TO.