8.1.6

Grammar - Infinitive clauses

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How to use infinitive constructions

This implies the use of an infinitive verb in sentences.

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What’s an infinitive?

  • An infinitive verb is a verb that ends in ER, IR or RE.
  • It is a verb that tells you the action but not who is doing the action or when the action is taking place.
  • It is the dictionary form of the verb.
    • You need to use an infinitive after words such as pour (for), afin de/d’ (in order to/for), sans (without) and avant de (before)
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Examples

  • Afin de voir ce film, ils ont acheté des billets à 20 euros chacun.
    • In order to see that/this film, they bought tickets at 20 euros each/each one.
  • Avant de voir ce film, ils ont acheté des billets à 20 euros chacun.
    • Before seeing this/that film, they bought tickets at 20 euros each/each one.
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à or de

  • You need to use an infinitive after verbs followed by à or de.
  • Il faut se préparer à comprendre le scénario intriguant.
    • It’s necessary/we must/one must be ready/ready oneself to understand the intriguing storyline
  • Le réalisateur évite d’évoquer des sentiments crédibles.
    • The director avoids to evoke/bring up/bring to mind/ believable feelings.
  • EVITER is followed by the preposition DE which is abbreviated to D’ as the infinitive that follows here starts with a vowel.

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11Conjugation & Use of Tenses

11.1Present Tense

11.2Perfect Tense

11.3Imperfect Tense

11.4Future Tense

11.5Conditional Tense

11.6Future Perfect Tense

11.7Conditional Perfect Tense

11.8Pluperfect Tense

12Extra Grammar

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