Use infinitive, gerund, decide, avoid accurately in context
Read and discuss a topic-specific article at A2 level
Practise speaking fluently on verb patterns in english
Complete written exercises with vocabulary in context
Teaching Notes
Warm-up: allow 8-10 min, let personal answers develop
Article: read together or have students read silently first
Vocabulary match: good for pair work
Speaking: encourage full sentences, not one-word answers
Exit questions: 5-min closer, no prep needed
Timing Guide
Warm-up: 8 min
Article + comprehension: 12 min
Vocabulary + match: 10 min
Exercises: 10 min
Speaking + discussion: 15 min
Exit + recap: 5 min
Teacher Question Bank
Click Next Question to begin
A2 · Lesson 28 · Verb Patterns in English
Infinitive vs Gerund
Verb Patterns in Englishinfinitivegerunddecide
Getting started
Warm-Up Questions
Click the button to get your first question
Read & Understand
Article
Infinitive vs Gerund
One of the most confusing parts of English grammar for learners is knowing whether to use the infinitive or the gerund after a verb. Some verbs always take the infinitive: 'I decided to apply for the new role.' 'She managed to finish on time.' 'He refused to attend the meeting.' Other verbs always take the gerund: 'I enjoy working in a team.' 'She avoids checking emails after seven.' 'He suggested moving the deadline.' A few verbs change meaning depending on which form follows. 'I stopped to check my phone' means I paused in order to check it. 'I stopped checking my phone' means I no longer check it. The best way to learn these patterns is through practice and reading.
💡 Did you know? The gerund (-ing form) used as a noun is one of the features that makes English unusual. Many languages do not have this construction — which is one reason it causes so many errors for learners.
Topic: Verb Patterns in English
Key words
Vocabulary
01
infinitive
the base form of a verb, often with 'to': to go, to work, to study
02
gerund
the -ing form of a verb used as a noun
03
decide
to make a choice after thinking
04
avoid
to stay away from something or stop it from happening
05
suggest
to put forward an idea for consideration
06
manage
to succeed in doing something difficult
07
consider
to think carefully about something
08
refuse
to say no to something
09
admit
to accept that something is true
010
pattern
a regular or repeated arrangement or sequence
Match the Words
Click a word on the left, then click its definition on the right.
infinitive
gerund
decide
avoid
suggest
manage
consider
refuse
admit
pattern
to say no to something
to stay away from something or stop it from happening
to make a choice after thinking
to accept that something is true
to succeed in doing something difficult
to think carefully about something
a regular or repeated arrangement or sequence
to put forward an idea for consideration
the base form of a verb, often with 'to': to go, to work, to study
the -ing form of a verb used as a noun
Say it right
Pronunciation
infinitive
INF-ini-tive
gerund
GER-und
decide
DEC-ide
avoid
AV-oid
suggest
SUG-gest
manage
MAN-age
Read & Discuss
Short Dialogue
A:
Hi! Can I ask you about infinitive?
B:
Of course! I think infinitive is very important.
A:
What about gerund? Do you use it often?
B:
Yes, I do. Gerund helps me a lot at work.
A:
And decide? Is that difficult for you?
B:
Sometimes. But I practise every day.
A:
That is great. What is your advice?
B:
Just be consistent. Small steps every day!
Comprehension
What does person A ask about first?
How does person B feel about gerund?
What is person B's advice?
Practice
Exercises
Gap Fill
Complete each sentence using vocabulary from today's lesson.
1. The concept of is important in this context.
2. The concept of is important in this context.
3. She d to change careers.
4. He s working late when possible.
5. I ed moving the meeting to Friday.
Error Correction
Find and correct the mistake in each sentence.
She is know a lot about infinitive.
We was discussing gerund yesterday.
He don't have enough decide.
They have spoke about avoid before.
Speaking practice
Speaking Prompts
Discuss with your partner
Make sentences using 5 different verbs from today: enjoy/avoid/decide/refuse/suggest.
Tell your partner something you: enjoy doing, avoid doing, decided to do, and hope to do.
Have you ever refused to do something at work? What happened?
Summarise today's topic in 3 sentences using vocabulary from this lesson.
Grammar focus: Some verbs take infinitive (to + verb): want, decide, manage, refuse, hope, plan... — can you give an example?
Open discussion
Discussion Generator
More Questions
Use with pairs or whole class · Encourage full answers
Write 8 sentences about your work or study habits using different verb patterns. Use at least 4 different verbs from the lesson (infinitive and gerund).
