constructions avec l'infinitif

The infinitive expresses the idea or concept of a verb's meaning, without specifying a specific subject or point in time (tense). In most cases, use of the infinitive in French corresponds to the English. Infinitive constructions may be categorized according to the following uses:

as a noun

The infinitive may sometimes function as a noun. For example, it may be the subject of a sentence. Note that the French infinitive is often translated as a gerund (the '- ing' form of the verb) in English.

as an imperative (command)

The infinitive may be used to give a written order when there is no specific addressee. You will often see this form on signs.

after verbs

The infinitive is often used directly after these conjugated verbs:

Verbs of movement: (In this category, the infinitive indicates purpose.)

aller, descendre, partir, rentrer, retourner, revenir, sortir, venir, etc.

Verbs of preference:

adorer, aimer, désirer, détester, préférer, vouloir

Verbs of opinion:

compter, croire, espérer, nier, penser, valoir mieux (impersonal: il vaut mieux)

Verbs of perception:

écouter, entendre, regarder, sentir, voir

Verbs of ability, obligation and necessity:

avoir beau (to do something in vain), devoir, faillir (to almost do something), falloir (impersonal: il faut) pouvoir, savoir

after prepositions

The infinitive is the verb form generally used after a preposition in French. The infinitive expresses purpose when it is used after pour or afin de. In the case of avant de and sans, the English translation is often a conjugated verb (Before they left), or a present participle (Before leaving), rather than the English infinitive. The infinitive follows the preposition par after the verbs commencer and finir.

pour / afin de:

avant de / sans:

par:

verbs followed by 'à' before an infinitive

When the following verbs are followed by an infinitive, the preposition à is required:

aider à, to help to s'habituer à, to get used to

s'amuser à, to have fun at hésiter à, to hesitate to

apprendre à, to learn to inviter à, to invite to

arriver à, to succeed in, to manage to se mettre à, to start to

s'attendre à, to expect to se préparer à, to prepare to

chercher à, to try to, to attempt to renoncer à, to give up

commencer à, to start to réussir à, to succeed at

se décider à, to make up one's mind to servir à, to be used for

encourager à, to encourage to tenir à, to be anxious to, to be eager to

verbs followed by 'de' before an infinitive:

When the following verbs are followed by an infinitive, the preposition de is required:

(s')arrêter de, to stop permettre (à quelqu'un) de, to permit someone to

conseiller de, to advise to persuader de, to persuade to

se contenter de, to content oneself with

se presser de, to hurry to décider de, to decide to

promettre de, to promise to s'efforcer de to try hard to, to endeavor to

proposer de, to propose to essayer de, to try to

refuser de, to refuse to s'excuser de, to apologize for

rêver de to dream of finir de, to finish

se soucier de, to care about mériter de, to deserve, to be worth

se souvenir de, to remember to oublier de, to forget to

to avoid the subjunctive

The infinitive is often used in impersonal expressions to avoid the subjunctive when a specific subject is not necessary.

negation of infinitives

Ne pas, ne plus, ne rien, or ne jamais are placed side by side before the infinitive to make it negative. **Ne personne, however, straddles the verb.

exceptions with pas:

Pas is sometimes omitted in the negative with an infinitive after the verbs savoir, pouvoir, oser and cesser.

past infinitive constructions

The infinitive of avoir or être plus the past participle of a verb is used after the preposition après to describe a preceding action in the past. Note the past participle agreement in past constructions with être.

Page updated

Report abuse