• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (-ing words: gerund, participle or main verb?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. What is the word in capitals doing in this sentence? The children were LAUGHING at the clown. (gerund (works as a noun) / participle (works as an adjective) / part of the main verb (is/was …ing)) → part of the main verb (is/was …ing)Prompt: Is there a helping verb (is, was, were, are) right before it? Then it's part of the main verb.
2. In which sentence is the word in capitals used like this: part of the main verb (is/was …ing)? (The dog was BARKING all night. / SWIMMING is my favourite sport. / The girl READING in the corner is my cousin.) → The dog was BARKING all night.Prompt: Is there a helping verb (is, was, were, are) right before it? Then it's part of the main verb.
3. What is the word in capitals doing in this sentence? We enjoy CAMPING in the summer. (gerund (works as a noun) / participle (works as an adjective) / part of the main verb (is/was …ing)) → gerund (works as a noun)Prompt: Is there a helping verb (is, was, were, are) right before it? Then it's part of the main verb.

• Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
• Share the objective: Infinitive phrases: noun, adjective or adverb job?. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: How is the infinitive phrase in brackets used? My plan is [to leave early].
• Step 1: An infinitive (to + verb) can do the job of a noun, an adjective or an adverb.
• Step 2: It renames the subject 'plan'.
• Step 3: So the answer is: as a noun
• Answer: as a noun
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. How is the infinitive phrase in brackets used? We saved money [to buy a new bike]. (as a noun / as an adjective / as an adverb) → as an adverbPrompt: Is it the subject or object (a 'thing')? Noun. Does it describe a noun? Adjective. Does it tell why, or modify an adjective? Adverb.
2. In which sentence is the infinitive phrase in brackets used as a noun? ([To err] is human. / She has a lot of homework [to finish]. / We need a place [to stay].) → [To err] is human.Prompt: Is it the subject or object (a 'thing')? Noun. Does it describe a noun? Adjective. Does it tell why, or modify an adjective? Adverb.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. How is the infinitive phrase in brackets used? [To win the cup] was our dream. (as a noun / as an adjective / as an adverb) → as a nounPrompt: Is it the subject or object (a 'thing')? Noun. Does it describe a noun? Adjective. Does it tell why, or modify an adjective? Adverb.
2. In which sentence is the infinitive phrase in brackets used as an adjective? (She wants [to become a pilot]. / She has a lot of homework [to finish]. / They went to the shop [to buy milk].) → She has a lot of homework [to finish].Prompt: Is it the subject or object (a 'thing')? Noun. Does it describe a noun? Adjective. Does it tell why, or modify an adjective? Adverb.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-8.