Basic rules for gerunds and infinitives
 

I'm currently studying for my CELTA and have a TP with a group of upper-int students.

From what I've read it does seem there's no easy way to avoid the students having to remember long lists of words that are followed by a gerund or infinitive, and some that can be followed by both.

I've come up with the below list of basic rules. If anyone could add to it, or feels I could explain it better I would greatly appreciate it :)

* Gerunds are generally used when actions are real or complete

* Infinitives are generally used when actions are unreal, abstract/theoretical (you cannot see or touch), or occur in the future

* Infinitives are used to show the intention or purpose

* Both gerunds and infinitives can be the subject of a sentence

* Both gerunds and infinitives can be the object of a verb

* Only gerunds can be the object of a preposition

* Only infinitives can follow a modal verb

Re: Basic rules for gerunds and infinitives
 

THANK YOU

Re: Basic rules for gerunds and infinitives
 

Glad it helped :)

Re: Basic rules for gerunds and infinitives
 

You're walking in a minefield there. Without knowing the nationality of your students it is difficult to advise you but please don't try to teach all those uses at one go.
Decide which aspect you want to concentrate on and keep it at that. For example, you might want to teach verbs that can take infinitive or gerund with different meaning. E:G: stop doing/stop to do, remember doing/ remember to do, try doing/try to do etc. Devise different activities that really make sure the students understand and can use it confidently.
I hope it goes well.
Sheila Margaret Ward

Re: Basic rules for gerunds and infinitives
 

THANK YOU