Language/French/Grammar/Infinitives-as-complements-to-other-verbs
Introduction[edit | edit source]
In French, infinitives often serve as complements to other verbs, providing additional meaning or completing the action of the main verb. Understanding how to correctly use infinitives in this way is crucial for sentence structures in French.
Structure[edit | edit source]
Infinitives can function as complements to main verbs in several ways:
- Directly following the main verb: "Je veux manger." (I want to eat.)
- Connected via a preposition: "Il commence à comprendre." (He begins to understand.)
Common Prepositions[edit | edit source]
- À
- De
- Pour
Common Verbs That Take Infinitives[edit | edit source]
Here are some common French verbs that are often followed by infinitives, either directly or with a preposition:
- Aimer (to like)
- Vouloir (to want)
- Pouvoir (to be able to)
- Savoir (to know how to)
- Commencer (to begin)
- Continuer (to continue)
- Finir (to finish)
Examples[edit | edit source]
French | English |
---|---|
Je veux partir. | I want to leave. |
Elle aime danser. | She likes to dance. |
Nous pouvons lire. | We can read. |
Tu sais nager. | You know how to swim. |
Il commence à comprendre. | He begins to understand. |
Ils continuent de travailler. | They continue to work. |
Vous finissez pour manger. | You finish to eat. |
More Detailed Examples[edit | edit source]
- "Je commence à aimer lire des romans." (I'm starting to enjoy reading novels.)
- "Ils finissent de manger avant de sortir." (They finish eating before going out.)
Practice Exercise[edit | edit source]
1. Translate: "I like to eat."
2. Create a sentence using "pouvoir" and an infinitive.
3. Identify the infinitive in this sentence: "Elle espère gagner."
4. Convert this English sentence into French: "They continue to work."
5. Form a sentence using "finir" and an infinitive.
Answers to Practice Exercise[edit | edit source]
1. J'aime manger. 2. Je peux écrire. 3. Gagner 4. Ils continuent de travailler. 5. Je finis de lire.