1. Notes les 26-27 mars Les prépositions avec les infinitifs Infinitive constructions, where the first verb is conjugated and the second verb is in infinitive form, are common in French. Les enfants aiment utiliser l’ordinateur. The children like to use the computer. Je veux graver un CD pour la fête. I want to burn a CD for the party.

2. The following verbs are followed directly by an infinitive: adorer (to adore, love) espérer (to hope, expect) aimer (to like, love) pouvoir (to be able, can) aller (to go) préférer (to prefer) détester (to hate, detest) savoir (to know how) devoir (must) vouloir (to want) Nous allons partir bientôt. We’re going to leave soon. J’espère avoir une bonne note en maths. I hope to have a good grade in math.

3. The following verbs require the preposition à before the following infinitive: aider à (to help) continuer à (to continue) s’amuser à (to pass time by) hésiter à (to hesitate) apprendre à (to learn) se préparer à (to prepare oneself) arriver à (to manage to) réussir à (to succeed in) commencer à (to begin) Ma mère a appris à conduire à la ferme. My mother learned to drive on the farm. J’ai réussi à avoir une bonne note en maths. I succeeded in getting a good grade in math.

4. The following verbs require the preposition de before the following infinitive. arrêter de (to stop) oublier de (to forget) décider de (to decide) permettre de (to permit) éviter de (to avoid) refuser de (to refuse) finir de (to finish) rêver de (to dream about) s’occuper de (to take care of) venir de (to have just) essayer de (to try) Arrêtez de faire ça! Stop doing that! J’ai oublié d’éteindre les lumières. I forgot to turn off the lights.

5. If there are object pronouns, place them directly in front of the infinitive. Unlike with definite articles, à and de do not contract with object pronouns. Ils ont decidé de le leur donner. They decided to give it to them. J’ai commencé à les faire quand j’étais petit. I began to make them when I was little.

6. The infinitive is also used after the prepositions pour (for, in order to) and sans (without). On utilise l’ordinateur pour surfer sur Internet. We use the computer (in order) to surf the Internet. Elle a passé une heure sans parler. She spent an hour without speaking.