GRAMMAR QUESTIONNAIRE #2

The questions are aimed at helping you explore a grammatical point in depth. Please, feel
free to add further questions or discuss other issues which are not part of this
questionnaire. Remember you will be teaching this topic in the future and students usually
ask lots of questions.

NON-TENSED FORMS:
INFINITIVES, GERUNDS AND PARTICIPLES

1. Why are these forms called “non-tensed” (or “non-conjugated” / “non-finite”)?

2. What is the difference in form between the BARE INFINITIVE and the FULL
INFINITIVE?
3. What is the difference in form between the PRESENT PARTICIPLE and the
GERUND?
4. When do you use the BARE INFINITIVE (e.g. after MAKE and LET)?
5. How do you turn a “MAKE” / “LET” active sentence into a passive one (e.g. She was
made…)?
6. When can “KNOW” + the BARE INFINITIVE be used?
7. What is the difference in meaning and use between WHY + BARE INFINITIVE and
WHY NOT + BARE INFINITIVE?
8. When do you use the FULL INFINITIVE (e.g. as a subject)?
9. Can the second “TO” be left out if we have two infinitives joined by AND / OR (e.g.
She just wants to study and to go…)
10. Complete the following table with a thorough list of VERBS which are followed by
the INFINITIVE:

VERB + INFINITIVE VERB + OBJECT + INFINITIVE

11. When is the PERFECT INFINITIVE used?

12. When is the CONTINUOUS INFINITIVE used?
13. When is the PERFECT CONTINUOUS INFINITIVE used?
14. When is the PASSIVE INFINITIVE used?
15. Explain how the INFINITIVE is used in the structure TOO + ADJECTIVE or ADVERB
and ADJECTIVE or ADVERB + ENOUGH.
16. Can I split the INFINITIVE (e.g. She wants to really go there)? If so, in which cases?
17. Can I use “HELP” with both the FULL and BARE INFINITIVES? Do I always need an
OBJECT (e.g. She helped me clean the house.)?
18. When do you use the GERUND (e.g. after a preposition)?
19. Complete the following table with a thorough list of VERBS which are followed by
the GERUND:

VERB + GERUND

20. When is “TO” followed by a GERUND (e.g. to reading”)?

21. When is the verb “GO” followed by a GERUND?
22. What type of words can be used BEFORE GERUNDS (e.g. A POSSESSIVE NOUN:
Paul’s interfering all the time bothers me)?
23. When is the PERFECT GERUND used?
24. When is the PASSIVE GERUND used?
25. When can NEED, WANT and REQUIRE be followed by the GERUND?
26. What verbs can be used with the INFINITIVE or the GERUND with little change in
meaning (e.g. START)? What happens if the verb preceding the GERUND or
INFINITIVE is in the PRESENT PARTICIPLE (e.g. It is starting…)?
27. In which position within the sentence should the negative (NOT) be used with the
INFINITIVE and the GERUND?
28. What is the difference in meaning and use between “TO + INFINITVE” and “FOR +
ING”?
29. Correct the following sentences and explain the mistake/s:

29.a. When I decided to attend university, my aims were to make new friends and
becoming well educated.
29.b. Paul would like to read, listen to music and watch TV during his holidays.

30. Explain the possible structures with the following verbs:

PREFER
WOULD RATHER
SUGGEST

31. When do you use the PRESENT PARTICIPLE?

32. Can I use the progressive aspect with a participial phrase (e.g. Being living in LA,
she decided…”)?
33. When do you use the PAST PARTICIPLE?
34. An ELT textbook explains that an “-ING form is used for things and an –ED form for
people. For example, a BORING book / a BORED student.” Is this explanation
accurate? Why (not)?
35. What is an ABSOLUTE CONSTRUCTION? Are there any restrictions which should be
kept in mind when using this kind of structure?
36. Are these sentences correct? Why (not)? Explain.

36.a. Her eyes glistening with tears, she stood up and left the room.
36.b. Driving home late at night, the streets were deserted.
36.c. Glancing at my clock, I saw that it was midnight.
36.d. Supposing you didn’t have any money, would she love you?
36.e. He looked at me, suddenly realising that he was talking to a stranger.
36.f. When buying a new house, you should consult different estate agents.
36.g. Stunned by the effectiveness of the robbers, the bank manager was speechless.
36.h. Dogs, when threatened, usually bite.
36.i. Most of the people questioned in the poll answered that they disagreed.
36.j. She looked at the lady at the door, shocked and unable to speak.