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4.1. Helping to make a change

Dictionary

Neighbors

La imagen muestra la cabeza de una persona con un bocadillo de pensamiento encima.
Definition:

The ones living closer to you.

Los que viven cerca.

Example:

My new neighbors are a young couple. 

Mis nuevos vecinos son una pareja joven. 

Spanish word:

Vecinos.

Audio:

Rétor dice

Gerunds and infinitives are useful tools to express the purpose of an action, that’s why they can play a very important part in the message of a campaign. Let’s learn how to use these verb forms in a practical way.

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Gerunds and infinitives are very useful.

Los verbos en gerundio y en infinitivo son muy útiles.

They express the objective you want to achieve with an action.

 Expresan el objetivo a alcanzar de una acción.

They can be very important in a campaign message.

Pueden ser muy importantes en el mensaje de una campaña.

So, let’s learn how to use them.

 Por ello, aprendamos su uso.

1. What you need to know

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Text

INFINITIVES AND GERUNDS

We use infinitives and gerunds in different contexts. Let’s learn how to use them.

We use infinitives to express the purpose of our action.

For example, I went to the shop to buy a present.

You can also use the negative form: I use my bike not to pollute the city air.

Purpose infinitive is also used after adjectives:

  • We are too young to drive.
  • The film is good enough to be successful.

Some verbs are followed by infinitives, for example: WANT, NEED, PROMISE, HOPE:

  • I want to participate in the fundraising campaign.
  • And I promise to help in the organization.

Let’s have a look at the use of the gerunds now.

Gerunds are used as the subject of a sentence:

  • Helping others is a very generous action.

We use the gerund after prepositions:

  • I went home after having lunch with Emily.
  • Did you ask her about running in the charity race?

Some verbs and expressions are followed by a gerund, for example: MIND, ENJOY, MISS or CAN’T STAND.

Have a look at these examples:

  • I don’t’ mind waiting.
  • I can’t stand watching cartoons.
  • We miss eating fruit.

Remember: we use infinitives to express purpose and gerunds as the subject of a sentence.

2. Making a difference

Probably, you have taken part in a solidarity campaign or you know somebody who has. Now it’s your turn to design one. In this section you’ll learn how to use infinitives and gerunds to write an appealing message for your campaign.

Option A. Find your purpose

Have a look at the pictures. Choose the correct purpose infinitive to complete the sentences:

Option B. Listen to the message

Fill in the blanks with the infinitive or the gerund of the verbs in brackets. Then, listen to the sentences to check your answers. 

  1. (WATCH) the refugees’ living conditions was terrible. 

  1. We want (HELP) in the charity campaign.

  1. Did you miss (PLAY) with the pets at the shelter?

  1. She hopes (BE) in the fundraising event.

  1. Will he need (WORK) in the project next month?

  1. Students enjoy (PARTICIPATE) in the charity race.

  1. We didn’t mind (WAIT) for the press conference.

  1. They are clever enough (RAISE) a lot of money for the charity.

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Option C. Becoming an example

Read the example and write three similar sentences for each of the pictures. Follow the instructions in brackets and use your own words. Remember the rules to use infinitives and gerunds.

La imagen muestra tres cachorros detrás de una alambrada.

Sentences:

  1. (Gerund) Supporting the shelter is an opportunity to be useful to the community.
  2. (Infinitive) These animals need to be fed and taken care of.
  3. (Gerund)   We don’t mind spending some free time at the shelter.

La imagen muestra a tres niños sin hogar y en malas condiciones de vida.

Sentences:

  1. (Infinitive)
  2. (Gerund)
  3. (Purpose Infinitive)

La imagen muestra una casa arrasada por un terremoto o huracán.

Sentences: 

  1. (Gerund)
  2. (Purpose Infinitive)
  3. (Infinitive)

Option D. Spreading the news

Have a look at the pictures. Imagine you want to record a short advertisement to announce a campaign to help in one of these situations. Choose the cause you want to support and write your message. It must have, at least, eight examples of infinitives and gerunds. Before starting your design, listen to the example given and use it as a model. Finally, remember to record your advertisement.

La imagen muestra un carrito de supermercado con productos de alimentación.

Campaign: FOOD FOR THE CHARITY KITCHEN

Advertisement:

La imagen muestra diverso material escolar sobre una mesa.

Campaign: SCHOOL ITEMS FOR OUR NEIGHBOURS

Advertisement:

La imagen muestra la salida de una carrera en la que participan adolescentes.

Campaign: CHARITY RACE TO HELP WAR VICTIMS

Advertisement:

La imagen muestra la cabeza de una persona con un bocadillo de pensamiento encima. Definition:

The ones living closer to you.

Los que viven cerca.

Example:

My new neighbors are a young couple. 

Mis nuevos vecinos son una pareja joven. 

Clavis dice ... You are at a key moment in “Life-changing events”

La imagen muestra las puntas de 12 lápices conformando un círculo, donde todos están en blanco y negro, salvo tres de ellos que son de colores.

Let’s just stop for a second. Identify the procedures, strategies and resources used in these tasks. Think about the difficulties you have tackled in their application.

Stopping and thinking is beneficial from time to time because we can acknowledge the work we have done and we can also gain momentum and perspective to see how much road is left. 

Cheer up! This solidarity challenge well deserves one more step forward.