How to Master French Infinitive Forms for English Speakers

Understanding the French Infinitive

The infinitive form of a verb is its basic form, and in French, it often ends in one of three sets of verb endings: -er, -ir, or -re. This form is comparable to the English "to + verb," like "to eat" or "to run."

The Three Verb Categories

French verbs are categorized based on their infinitive endings, and each category follows different conjugation rules.

• -er verbs e.g. parler (to speak)
• -ir verbs e.g. finir (to finish)
• -re verbs e.g. vendre (to sell)

When to Use the Infinitive

Infinitives After Prepositions

In French, the infinitive is used after prepositions like à, de, pour, and sans. For example, pour manger (to eat), sans courir (without running).

Infinitives as Nouns

French infinitives can act as nouns, such as in expressions like le dîner (dinner), translating to "eating" as an activity.

Infinitives with Auxiliary Verbs

The infinitive follows auxiliary verbs such as vouloir (to want), pouvoir (to be able to), creating phrases like "I want to eat" becomes "Je veux manger."

Common Mistakes

One common mistake for English speakers is misusing the infinitive when a conjugated form is required. For instance, in phrases like "before eating," ensure you use the correct preposition and form: avant de manger, not "avant manger."

Practice Makes Perfect

To master French infinitive forms, practice is key. Engage with French content, whether it be books, music, or conversations, to see how native speakers naturally incorporate infinitives.