8.5.1

Infinitive Phrases

Test yourself

The Infinitive

The infinitive is "the dictionary form" of verbs.

Illustrative background for The 3 infinitivesIllustrative background for The 3 infinitives ?? "content

The 3 infinitives

  • Infinitives are classified into 3 groups depending on their endings.
    • -ER (1st group)
    • -IR (2nd group)
    • -RE (3rd group)
Illustrative background for Grammar RulesIllustrative background for Grammar Rules ?? "content

Grammar Rules

  • The infinitive is never altered in an infinitive phrase.
    • J'aime faire du vélo
    • Tu aimes faire du vélo
    • Il/Elle aime faire du vélo
    • Nous aimons faire du vélo
    • Vous aimez faire du vélo
    • Ils/Elles aiment faire du vélo
  • When 2 verbs follow each other, the second verb is always in the infinitive.
    • He likes to talk → Il aime parler.
    • She can cook → Elle sait faire la cuisine.
Illustrative background for Translating the infinitiveIllustrative background for Translating the infinitive ?? "content

Translating the infinitive

  • The infinitive in French can be translated into English either with the gerund (i.e. the "-ing" form) or the infinitive (i.e. the "to" form).
    • Il aime parler → He likes to talk / He likes talking.
Illustrative background for Uses of the infinitiveIllustrative background for Uses of the infinitive ?? "content

Uses of the infinitive

  • High frequency verbs: verbs such as aimer (to like), aller (to go), faire (to do), savoir (to know) are often used in the infinitive form.
    • J'aime aller à la plage. ( I like going to the beach.)
  • Verbs used with prepositions such as "de" and "à" must be followed by an infinitive.
    • Je finis de faire la vaisselle. → I finish doing the washing up.
    • Je commence à faire mes devoirs à six heures. → I start doing my homework at six.
Illustrative background for Uses of the infinitive (cont.)Illustrative background for Uses of the infinitive (cont.) ?? "content

Uses of the infinitive (cont.)

  • Infinitive phrases can also be used to express future actions.
    • Je vais aller en France cet été. → I am going to go to France this summer.
    • J’ai l’intention d’aller en France cet été. → I intend to go to France this summer.

The Infinitive

The infinitive is "the dictionary form" of verbs.

Illustrative background for The 3 infinitivesIllustrative background for The 3 infinitives ?? "content

The 3 infinitives

  • Infinitives are classified into 3 groups depending on their endings.
    • -ER (1st group)
    • -IR (2nd group)
    • -RE (3rd group)
Illustrative background for Grammar RulesIllustrative background for Grammar Rules ?? "content

Grammar Rules

  • The infinitive is never altered in an infinitive phrase.
    • J'aime faire du vélo
    • Tu aimes faire du vélo
    • Il/Elle aime faire du vélo
    • Nous aimons faire du vélo
    • Vous aimez faire du vélo
    • Ils/Elles aiment faire du vélo
  • When 2 verbs follow each other, the second verb is always in the infinitive.
    • He likes to talk → Il aime parler.
    • She can cook → Elle sait faire la cuisine.
Illustrative background for Translating the infinitiveIllustrative background for Translating the infinitive ?? "content

Translating the infinitive

  • The infinitive in French can be translated into English either with the gerund (i.e. the "-ing" form) or the infinitive (i.e. the "to" form).
    • Il aime parler → He likes to talk / He likes talking.
Illustrative background for Uses of the infinitiveIllustrative background for Uses of the infinitive ?? "content

Uses of the infinitive

  • High frequency verbs: verbs such as aimer (to like), aller (to go), faire (to do), savoir (to know) are often used in the infinitive form.
    • J'aime aller à la plage. ( I like going to the beach.)
  • Verbs used with prepositions such as "de" and "à" must be followed by an infinitive.
    • Je finis de faire la vaisselle. → I finish doing the washing up.
    • Je commence à faire mes devoirs à six heures. → I start doing my homework at six.
Illustrative background for Uses of the infinitive (cont.)Illustrative background for Uses of the infinitive (cont.) ?? "content

Uses of the infinitive (cont.)

  • Infinitive phrases can also be used to express future actions.
    • Je vais aller en France cet été. → I am going to go to France this summer.
    • J’ai l’intention d’aller en France cet été. → I intend to go to France this summer.

Jump to other topics

1Phonics/Alphabet/Spellings

1.1Alphabet & Accents

2Family & Home

3Lifestyle

4Education & Future Plans

5Leisure, Free Time & Media

6Wider World

7Grammar

7.1Present Tense

7.2Perfect Tense

7.3Imperfect Tense

7.4Future Tense

7.5Conditional Tense

7.6Passive

7.7Imperative

8Other Grammar

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson