Gerunds and Infinitives

Objectives:

• The learner will review the use of gerunds in written and spoken form.

• The learner will identify infinitives in written and spoken form. 

• The learner will apply the rules governing the use of infinitives and gerunds to written exercises.

• The learner will use the Internet to take an online gerund/infinitive quiz.

Duration:

    4 hours

Materials:

• English Day by Day, Michael Roddy, Academic Therapy Publications, 1989, pgs. 110, 112

• Gerunds and Infinitives reference sheet and overheads

• Gerund and Infinitive flash cards

• Online "Gerund or Infinitive Quiz"

• Overhead projector

• White board and markers

Activities:

1. Teacher calls on each student to give an example of a gerund; teacher writes each on the board until there are at least ten. Teacher directs learner pairs to use at least three of the listed words in three different sentences. Pairs exchange their sentences,  inspect for errors and return sentences to original pairs. Pairs then read their sentences to the class. Teacher allows for additional time to review the use of gerunds as required.

2. Teacher writes the sentence "I need calling an ambulance" on the board and asks class if this is correct. Subsequent discussion reveals that the gerund "calling" is misused, and that an infinitive is needed. Teacher defines an infinitive as "to" plus the base form of any verb and writes several examples on the board.

3. Teacher distributes Gerunds and Infinitives reference sheet, announces that the reference sheet states the rules for both gerunds and infinitives, and turns on overhead projector. Teacher says each verb in Part A of the reference sheet and learners repeat. Teacher defines unfamiliar verbs as necessary. 

4. Teacher calls on each student to give an example of an infinitive; teacher writes each on the board until there are at least ten. Teacher directs learner pairs to use at least three of the listed words with three different verbs in Part A in sentences. Pairs exchange their sentences,  inspect for errors and return sentences to original pairs. Pairs then read their sentences to the class. Teacher allows for additional time to review the use of infinitives as required. 

5. Learners complete Exercise S-4 in English Day by Day. Learners correct as a class with input from teacher.

6. Teacher returns class to Gerunds and Infinitives reference sheet to underscore that the verbs are divided into three groups: 1) verbs used with infinitives only, 2) verbs used with gerunds only, and 3) verbs used with both infinitives and gerunds. Teacher creates three columns on the board and writes the appropriate verb in each column. Teacher directs learners to select a verb from each column and write a sentence for each, reminding learners that the verbs in column three require two sentences. Learners share sentences with the class and discuss as necessary.

7. Learners complete exercises S-7 and S-8 in English Day by Day while teacher monitors progress and assists where needed. 

8. Learners play "Gerund/Infinitive Jeopardy" using the Gerund/Infinitive Flashcards (teacher cuts out sentences and glues or pastes them to colored 4 x 6 cards, each category having a different color). "Easy" category sentences = 2 points; "average" category = 2.5 points; "difficult" category = 3 points. Learners follow typical Jeopardy rules; five second time limit per card; winning team is the one that finishes first in at least two out of three rounds.

9. Learners complete Online "Gerund or Infinitive Quiz"; teacher records score.  

Assessment:

Teacher monitors verbal and written responses of individual learners and records online quiz score.