Uses of the Base Form (V1)
1️⃣ After Verbs of Perception
Use the base form (bare infinitive) after verbs of perception to describe a complete action.
Common Verbs
- see
- watch
- hear
- notice
- observe
- feel
Structure:
Verb of perception + object + base verb
Examples
- You heard her sing a song.
- I saw him eat the mangoes.
- She felt the earth shake.
Note: After verbs of perception, we can also use the present participle (-ing form) to emphasize that the action was in progress. This form is especially common in everyday English.
Examples
- You heard her singing a song.
- I saw him eating the mangoes.
- She felt the earth shaking.
2️⃣ After Bid (Formal or Literary English)
The verb bid (meaning command or order) is used mainly in formal or literary English. It is followed by a bare infinitive (base verb).
Structure:
bid + object + base verb
Examples
- I bade him leave the room.
- The king bade the soldiers advance.
Note: The past tense of bid (meaning command) is bade.
Modern English
In everyday English, bid is rarely used to mean command. Instead, people usually say:
- I ordered him to leave the room.
- I told him to leave the room.
- I asked him to leave the room. (less forceful than ordered)
3️⃣ After Certain Expressions
Use the base form after the following expressions:
- couldn't help but
- nothing but
- anything but
- rather than
Examples
- He couldn't help but laugh.
- She did nothing but weep.
- I would rather die than beg.
4️⃣ After the Auxiliary Verbs Do, Does, and Did
Use the base form after the auxiliary verbs do, does, and did.
Examples
- Does he come on time?
- She did not participate in the debate.
Note: Do, does, and did may also be used in affirmative sentences to add emphasis.
Example:
- Ellen does understand the importance of honesty.
5️⃣ In Time Clauses Referring to the Future
Use the present simple in time clauses introduced by when, before, after, until, as soon as, by the time, and as long as, even when the main clause refers to the future.
Examples
- When she arrives, we will start.
- I will wait for him until he comes.
- The students will have completed their assignments by the time the lecture ends.
Note: In time clauses, the present simple is used to refer to future time.
Uses of the Past Form (V2)
1️⃣ After Would Rather + Person
Use the past form after would rather + person to express a preference about what another person should do.
Structure:
would rather + person + past form
Examples
- I would rather Harry drove the car.
- I would rather he helped me.
2️⃣ After It Is Time / It Is High Time
Use the past form after the expressions it is time and it is high time.
It is used to say that someone should do something now because it is already late
Example
- It is high time he applied for the job.
Uses of the Past Participle (V3)
1️⃣ After Perfect Auxiliaries
Use the past participle (V3) after the perfect auxiliaries:
- has
- have
- had
- will have
- shall have
Example
- He has installed a new application.
2️⃣ In the Passive Voice
The past participle (V3) is used to form the passive voice.
Examples
- Tea was taken by me.
- The price of petrol has been increased.
- The result will be declared.
3️⃣ As an Adjective
A past participle can function as an adjective to describe a noun.
Examples
- The broken glass injured her feet.
- The lost child was crying.
- The fallen leaves covered the road.
Uses of the Gerund (V-ing)
1️⃣ After Certain Verbs
Use the gerund (V-ing) after the following verbs:
- enjoy
- finish
- suggest
- mind
- keep
- consider
- postpone
- avoid
- miss
- deny
- admit
- prevent
- spend
- propose
- mention
- resist
- delay
- remember
- forget
- can't help
Examples
- She finished washing the dishes.
- He avoided meeting the stranger.
- I could not help laughing.
2️⃣ After Certain Expressions
Use the gerund after the following expressions:
- get used to
- be used to
- averse to
- look forward to
- devote to
- with a view to
Examples
- He got used to smoking at an early age.
- She went to the market with a view to buying a book
3️⃣ After Prepositions
Use the gerund after a preposition.
Examples
- He succeeded in getting first position.
- We insisted on staying indoors.
- She is afraid of climbing the mountain.
Common Mistakes in Verb Forms
❌ I saw him to eat the mangoes.
✅ I saw him eat the mangoes.
❌ I heard the children to sing.
✅ I heard the children sing.
❌ She felt the earth shook.
✅ She felt the earth shake.
❌ The king bade the soldiers to advance.
✅ The king bade the soldiers advance..
❌ He couldn't help but laugh.
✅ He couldn't help but laughing.
❌ Does he comes on time?
✅ Does he come on time?
❌ When she will arrive, we will start.
✅ When she arrives, we will start.
❌ I would rather Harry to drive the car.
✅ I would rather Harry drove the car.
❌ It is high time he has applied for the job.
✅ It is high time he applied for the job.
❌ We look forward to meet you.
✅ We look forward to meeting you.