• 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? She is SWIMMING across the bay. (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: gerund (works as a noun)? (His hobby is PAINTING. / The BROKEN window let in the cold. / The BARKING dog woke the baby.) → His hobby is PAINTING.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? The BARKING dog woke the baby. (gerund (works as a noun) / participle (works as an adjective) / part of the main verb (is/was …ing)) → participle (works as an adjective)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? They went to the shop [to buy milk]. (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 an adjective? (She wants [to become a pilot]. / [To win the cup] was our dream. / He is the first person [to arrive].) → He is the first person [to arrive].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? We need a place [to stay]. (as a noun / as an adjective / as an adverb) → as an adjectivePrompt: 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? (That is the best way [to learn vocabulary]. / He trained every day [to improve his speed]. / My plan is [to leave early].) → My plan is [to leave early].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.