Representing thinking, perceiving, liking and desiring

Using verb patterns to represent thoughts and beliefs

page 6 of 15

Verb followed by a wh-clause

The verbs in this category can be followed by a wh-clause which represents some kind of question or issue which is calculated, worked out, recalled, assessed, etc:

This reason is not to be added to all other relevant factors when assessing what you should do … (Bank of English)

Here is a list of verbs which can be followed by a finite clause beginning with one of the wh-words:

assess  find out  puzzle out  understand  calculate forget realise work out determine guess recall decide discover imagine remember judge establish know see plan figure out learn think ponder

Introduction
Participants associated with thinking verbs
Grammatical patterns associated with thoughts
Verb followed by a that clause
Verb followed by a noun group
Verb followed by a wh-clause
Verb followed by an if/whether clause
Verb followed by the -ing form
Verb followed by an object and the -ing form
Verb followed by the to-infinitive
Verb followed by an object and the to-infinitive
Verb followed by the actual words thought
Ellipsis and substitution with thinking verbs
Present simple v present continuous tense
A note on the order of participants