English grammar - Roger Berry 2012

B8.2 Describing verbs
B8 Verb patterns
Section B Development

The different patterns and sub-patterns above can be used to establish a picture of the various ways in which a verb is used. It is often assumed that a verb is used in only one pattern; for example, that run is only an intransitive verb (meaning a particular way of moving). But in fact it is also common as a monotransitive verb:

She’s been running businesses since she was 16.

Note the different meaning here. It is quite common for different patterns to be associated with different meanings. Also, the more common verbs are, the more likely they are to have different patterns.

We also saw with verbs of perception (see etc.) under link transitive verbs that the sub-pattern itself may imply a different meaning. Here is another example.

He remembered putting the keys in his pocket.

He remembered to put the keys in his pocket.

Here the first example he put the keys in his pocket and he remembered doing this; in the second he remembered that he was supposed to put the keys in his pocket (so he did).

Activity B8.3

Look at the six sub-patterns above under ’Ditransitive patterns’, combination 1 (indirect object followed by direct object). Which apply to the verb warn?

Activity B8.4

Think of which patterns these verbs can be used in; give examples: look, stand, find, tell

Remember that the above examples show single-word verbs, but the patterns can also apply to phrasal and prepositional verbs (see B7). You do not always need the level of detail in the list above.