Gerunds and infinitives pop up all over the place in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and this two-level set of task cards gives adult ESL grammar students extensive practice choosing between them.

So, gerunds and infinitives are sometimes interchangeable, but sometimes the choice changes the meaning entirely. Quick tip to share with your students: Using a gerund suggests you're talking about real activities or experiences while using an infinitive suggests you're referring to potential or possible ones. That's a meaningful distinction, and your students need real practice to internalize it.

I took one set of task cards and made it into two to give you the differentiation you need so that you're not stuck pretending your class is all at the same level.

WHAT'S INSIDE:

• ✅ Teacher page with instructions and suggestions
• ✅ Set 1: 20 task cards, each with two blanks and base form answers provided for added support
• ✅ Set 2: The same 20 cards without base form answers—a greater challenge that leaves room for student creativity
• ✅ Answer key for Set 1
• ✅ No answer key for Set 2—because students have limitless imaginations
• ✅ Student answer sheet (works for either set)
• ✅ Partner answer keys for oral practice and collaborative work

HOW TO USE THIS

Use whichever set matches your students' current level. Set 1 works well as an introduction or for students who need scaffolding. Set 2 is the better choice for students who are ready to work without the safety net.

The partner answer keys make these cards useful for speaking practice. Students can check each other's responses and discuss disagreements, which is the kind of productive conversation that builds grammar judgment. Use the cards for pair work, small group practice, or a whole-class activity, whatever floats your boat or fits your lesson.

WHY THIS WORKS FOR ADULT ESL STUDENTS

Adult ESL students, whether they're preparing for university, building professional skills, or working toward personal fluency goals, come across gerunds and infinitives everywhere: in the texts they read, the conversations they have, the essays/emails/reports they write, and the lectures they listen to. Getting comfortable with this grammar point pays off across all four skills.

The double set respects the reality of mixed-level classes. High-beginner students get the support they need to succeed; low-intermediate students get the challenge that keeps them from coasting. 

This resource also works well for secondary ESL students and native English-speaking students who have grammar gaps to fill.