Infinitive constructions after verbs and prepositions

Kurz erklärt

In French, a conjugated verb can be followed by an infinitive. Some verbs take the infinitive directly, while others require à or de. The required pattern belongs to the first verb and often has to be learned with it. After prepositions and expressions such as pour, sans, avant de, and au lieu de, French also uses the infinitive when the understood subject stays the same.

Bildung

conjugated verb + infinitive; verb + à/de + infinitive; pour/sans/avant de/au lieu de + infinitive

Verwendung

• Use a direct infinitive after verbs such as vouloir, pouvoir, devoir, and préférer.
• Use à + infinitive after verbs such as commencer à, réussir à, and apprendre à.
• Use de + infinitive after verbs such as essayer de, décider de, and arrêter de.
• Use pour + infinitive for purpose and sans + infinitive for an action not done.
• Use avant de + infinitive when both actions have the same subject.

Beispiele

• Nous avons décidé de partir tôt. — We decided to leave early.
• Elle apprend à conduire. — She is learning to drive.
• Je t’appelle pour confirmer l’heure. — I’m calling you to confirm the time.
• Il est sorti sans fermer la porte. — He went out without closing the door.

Typischer Fehler

❌ J’essaie apprendre le français.

✅ J’essaie d’apprendre le français.

Unlike English ‘try to do,’ essayer requires de before an infinitive. Before a vowel, de becomes d’.

Merke

Learn each verb together with its pattern: no preposition, à, or de. The same English word ‘to’ does not predict the French construction.