Grammar - Infinitive clauses
French: AQA A Level, topic 8.1.6
How to use infinitive constructions
This implies the use of an infinitive verb in sentences.
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)
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.
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.
Test yourself on Grammar - Infinitive clauses
What is not an option for an infinitive ending ?
What does an infinitive reveal ?