6.1.15

Avoir & Etre

Test yourself

The perfect infinitive translates as 'to have done something'. It's formed by using the infinitive of 'être' followed by a past participle. Only verbs that use 'être' in the perfect tense use 'être' here.

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ER verbs

  • Après être allé à Paris, je n'avais pas envie de rentrer à Manchester.
    • After having gone to Paris, I didn't want to go back to Manchester.
  • Je regrette d'être monté dans ce bus.
    • I regret having got on this bus.
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IR verbs

  • Après être sorti hier soir, je suis très fatigué aujourd'hui.
    • After having gone out last night, I am very tired today.
  • Je regrette d'être parti tôt hier.
    • I regret having left early yesterday.
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RE

  • Après être descendu sous le pont, il n'est pas revenu.
    • After having gone below deck, he hasn't come back.
  • Après être descendu derrière les montagnes, l'avion a disparu.
    • After having gone down behind the mountains, the plane disappeared.

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1Home & Abroad

2Education & Employment

3Personal Life & Relationships

4The World Around Us

5Social Activities, Fitness & Health

6Common Tenses

7Advanced Tenses

8Extra Grammar

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