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      À l'université : infinitive as noun, conditional verbs, conversation (Edexcel)

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can ask and answer questions about future study plans using the present, future and conditional.

      Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

      Key learning points

      1. An infinitive can be used as the subject of a sentence to express an activity. It works like a noun.
      2. We normally translate infinitives as nouns using the -ing form of the verb in English.
      3. The conditional has the same stem as the future tense and the same endings as the imperfect, e.g. 'j'aimerais'.
      4. The future and the conditional can be usefully combined to express plans and hopes for the future.

      Keywords

      • Conditional - form of verb that expresses what would happen

      Common misconception

      Infinitive verbs are only used when they follow a conjugated verb.

      When an infinitive is used at the start of a clause, it becomes a noun, e.g. 'Étudier est un bon moyen de trouver un meilleur emploi.'. ('Studying is a good way to find a better job.')

      Teacher tip

      If it's not possible to arrange students in a circle for task C2, the same format can be achieved by having rows of chairs facing each other.

      Equipment

      Mini whiteboards and pens are useful, if available.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which word means 'nearby'?

      parmi
      prêt
      Correct answer: près
      entre
      sans

      Q2.
      Match the French and English.

      Correct Answer:contrôle (m),test, check, inspection

      test, check, inspection

      Correct Answer:côté (m),side

      side

      Correct Answer:formation (f),training

      training

      Correct Answer:note (f),mark, grade, note

      mark, grade, note

      Correct Answer:Londres,London

      London

      Correct Answer:système (m),system

      system

      Q3.
      Match the French and English.

      Correct Answer:aider,to help, helping

      to help, helping

      Correct Answer:éviter,to avoid, avoiding

      to avoid, avoiding

      Correct Answer:essayer,to try, trying

      to try, trying

      Correct Answer:nettoyer,to clean, cleaning

      to clean, cleaning

      Correct Answer:réaliser,to realise, achieve

      to realise, achieve

      Correct Answer:refuser,to refuse, refusing

      to refuse, refusing

      Q4.
      Order the words to say: 'you will have time and you will do homework'.

      1 - tu auras
      2 - du
      3 - temps
      4 - et
      5 - tu feras
      6 - les
      7 - devoirs

      Q5.
      Write in English: 'j'irai à cette université'.

      Correct Answer: I will go to this university, I'll go to this university

      Q6.
      Write in French: 'she forgot her pen'.

      Correct Answer: elle a oublié son stylo

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these words is the translation for: se comporter?

      to consider, considering
      Correct answer: to behave, behaving
      to inform, informing
      to play, playing

      Q2.
      Which sentences use the infinitive correctly?

      Nous avons lire ce livre.
      Correct answer: Travailler dur est important.
      Correct answer: J'aime apprendre la physique.
      Elle n'aimer pas l'uniforme.
      Tu étudier à l'université ?

      Q3.
      Order the words to say: 'if I had the choice I would choose this college'.

      1 - si
      2 - j'
      3 - avais
      4 - le choix
      5 - je
      6 - choisirais
      7 - ce lycée

      Q4.
      Write in English: 'Écrire serait facile'.

      Correct Answer: writing would be easy

      Q5.
      Write in English: 'après avoir lu'

      Correct Answer: after having read, after reading

      To help you plan your 11 French lesson on: À l'université : infinitive as noun, conditional verbs, conversation (Edexcel), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...