The French infinitive is the basic form of a verb. It usually matches “to + verb” in English. For example, parler means “to speak”, while finir means “to finish”.
To use the French infinitive, keep the verb in its unconjugated form after certain verbs (vouloir, pouvoir, devoir), after prepositions such as à, de, pour, sans and avant de, and in fixed expressions like il faut.
It also combines with aller to form the near future (je vais manger — I am going to eat) and with venir de to form the recent past (je viens de manger — I have just eaten).
The French infinitive is used after certain verbs, prepositions, adjectives and expressions. It also appears in the near future, recent past, written instructions and general statements.
Below are the main rules for using infinitive verbs in French.
Rule 1: Use the Infinitive After Certain Conjugated Verbs
Some verbs, including vouloir, pouvoir, devoir and préférer, can be followed directly by an infinitive.
Examples:
Je veux apprendre le français. — I want to learn French.
Nous pouvons commencer maintenant. — We can start now.
Elle préfère travailler le matin. — She prefers to work in the morning.
Explanation:
The first verb is conjugated to match the subject. The second verb stays in its infinitive form.
Read our guide on the best ways to learn French verbs for more practical advice.
Rule 2: Use À Before the Infinitive After Certain Verbs
Some French verbs require à + infinitive. These include apprendre à, commencer à, aider à and réussir à.
Examples:
J’apprends à conduire. — I am learning to drive.
Elle commence à comprendre la règle. — She is beginning to understand the rule.
Nous avons réussi à trouver l’adresse. — We managed to find the address.
Explanation:
The preposition à connects the first verb to the infinitive. Learn the verb and its preposition together as one complete expression.
Rule 3: Use De Before the Infinitive After Certain Verbs
Verbs such as décider, essayer, oublier, arrêter and refuser require de + infinitive.
Examples:
Nous avons décidé de rester à Paris. — We decided to stay in Paris.
J’essaie de parler plus lentement. — I am trying to speak more slowly.
Elle a oublié de fermer la porte. — She forgot to close the door.
Explanation:
The preposition de is part of the verb expression. There is no single rule for choosing à, de or no preposition, so learn each structure as a complete phrase.
Rule 4: Use the Infinitive After Certain Adjectives
An infinitive can follow an adjective to describe a feeling, opinion, or condition.
Examples:
Je suis heureux de vous rencontrer. — I am happy to meet you.
Elle est contente de vivre à Paris. — She is happy to live in Paris.
Il est prêt à commencer. — He is ready to begin.
Explanation:
Many adjectives use de + infinitive, while others use à + infinitive. Learning the adjective and preposition together will help you avoid mistakes.
Rule 5: Use the Infinitive After Certain Noun Expressions
Some common noun expressions are followed by de + infinitive.
Examples:
J’ai envie de voyager. — I feel like traveling.
Nous avons besoin de partir tôt. — We need to leave early.
Elle a peur de parler en public. — She is afraid of speaking in public.
Explanation:
Expressions such as avoir envie de, avoir besoin de and avoir peur de are followed by an infinitive that explains the action.
Rule 6: Use Pour + Infinitive to Explain Purpose
Use pour + infinitive to explain why someone does something.
Examples:
J’étudie pour réussir mon examen. — I study to pass my exam.
Elle va au marché pour acheter des légumes. — She goes to the market to buy vegetables.
Nous prenons le métro pour gagner du temps. — We take the metro to save time.
Explanation:
The infinitive after pour shows the purpose of the first action. The same person usually performs both actions.
Rule 7: Use Sans + Infinitive
Use sans + infinitive to mean “without doing something”.
Examples:
Il est parti sans dire au revoir. — He left without saying goodbye.
Elle travaille sans prendre de pause. — She works without taking a break.
Nous avons trouvé l’hôtel sans utiliser de carte. — We found the hotel without using a map.
Explanation:
The infinitive comes directly after sans. You do not need to add another preposition between them.
Rule 8: Use Avant de + Infinitive
Use avant de + infinitive when one action happens before another.
Examples:
Je prends un café avant de travailler. — I have a coffee before working.
Elle vérifie son message avant de l’envoyer. — She checks her message before sending it.
Nous mangeons avant de sortir. — We eat before going out.
Explanation:
This structure is usually used when the same person performs both actions.
Rule 9: Use Aller + Infinitive for the Near Future
The near future is formed with the present tense of aller followed by an infinitive.
Examples:
Je vais manger. — I am going to eat.
Nous allons visiter Paris. — We are going to visit Paris.
Ils vont arriver bientôt. — They are going to arrive soon.
Explanation:
Only aller is conjugated. The verb describing the future action remains in the infinitive.
Rule 10: Use Venir de + Infinitive for the Recent Past
Use venir de + infinitive to describe something that has just happened.
Examples:
Je viens de terminer. — I have just finished.
Elle vient de partir. — She has just left.
Ils viennent d’arriver. — They have just arrived.
Explanation:
The verb venir is conjugated, while the second verb stays in the infinitive. Before a vowel, de changes to d’.
Rule 11: Use the Infinitive in General Expressions
The infinitive is commonly used after impersonal expressions such as il faut and il est important de.
Examples:
Il faut pratiquer régulièrement. — You need to practice regularly.
Il est important de comprendre la règle. — It is important to understand the rule.
Il est possible de réserver en ligne. — It is possible to book online.
Explanation:
These expressions describe general actions, advice, or requirements without naming a particular person.
Rule 12: Use the Infinitive for Written Instructions
The French infinitive is often used in recipes, manuals, notices, and signs.
Examples:
Ajouter le sucre. — Add the sugar.
Ne pas toucher. — Do not touch.
Appuyer ici. — Press here.
Explanation:
The infinitive creates a neutral and direct instruction. It is especially common when the instruction is not addressed to one specific person.
Rule 13: Place Negative Words Before the Infinitive
To make an infinitive negative, place the negative expression before it.
Examples:
Je préfère ne pas sortir. — I prefer not to go out.
Elle a décidé de ne plus répondre. — She decided not to answer anymore.
Il est important de ne pas oublier son passeport. — It is important not to forget your passport.
Explanation:
With an infinitive, negative words such as ne pas, ne plus and ne jamais normally stay together before the verb.
Rule 14: Place Pronouns Before the Infinitive
Object and reflexive pronouns usually come immediately before the infinitive they belong to.
Examples:
Je vais le faire. — I am going to do it.
Nous voulons lui parler. — We want to speak to him or her.
Je vais me lever. — I am going to get up.
Explanation:
The pronoun is placed before the infinitive because it refers to the action expressed by that verb.
Read our guide on how to use French pronouns for more examples.
Practice the French infinitive with FAYLI
Understanding the French infinitive becomes easier when you use these rules in real sentences and conversations—not just when you memorize them.
At French As You Like It, lessons combine grammar, pronunciation, speaking, and practical correction, so your teacher can help you understand when to use à, de, or no preposition before an infinitive without needing to guess.
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