Infinitives and Recent/Ongoing Actions in French

This section explains infinitives and recent and ongoing actions in French and includes tips for students studying foundation and higher tiers.

The Infinitive

The infinitive is the base form of a verb, meaning it’s not conjugated for any particular subject. It’s equivalent to "to + verb" in English (e.g., to eat, to speak).

Key Points:

• In French, verbs in the infinitive end in -er, -ir, or -re.
  • -er (parler - to speak)
  • -ir (finir - to finish)
  • -re (attendre - to wait)
• Infinitives are often used after another verb or certain prepositions.

Using Infinitives After Another Verb

In French, the infinitive is often used after certain verbs, particularly modal verbs (verbs that express ability, permission, necessity, etc.) or verbs of preference.

Common Verbs that are followed by the Infinitive:

• Aimer (to like):
  • J’aime manger (I like to eat).
• Vouloir (to want):
  • Je veux parler (I want to speak).
• Pouvoir (can, to be able to):
  • Je peux aider (I can help).
• Devoir (must, to have to):
  • Tu dois étudier (You must study).
• Préférer (to prefer):
  • Elle préfère dormir (She prefers to sleep).

Using Infinitives After Prepositions

Some prepositions are followed by an infinitive verb. Common prepositions include à, de, and pour.

Examples:

• Avant de (before):
  • Avant de partir, appelle-moi (Before leaving, call me).
• Après (after):
  • Après avoir mangé, je vais me coucher (After eating, I am going to bed).
• Pour (to, in order to):
  • Je travaille pour réussir (I work in order to succeed).
• De (of, from):
  • Il est fatigué de courir (He is tired from running).

Recent and Ongoing Actions

In French, there are specific ways to talk about recent or ongoing actions. These can be expressed through different verb tenses and constructions. Below are the key ways to talk about recent and ongoing actions in French.

Recent Actions: The Past Recent 

The passé récent is used to talk about actions that have just happened, in the recent past.

• Formation: Venir (present) + de + infinitive.

Example:

• Je viens de manger (I’ve just eaten).
• Elle vient de finir son travail (She has just finished her work).

Structure:

• Subject + venir (conjugated) + de + infinitive.

This tense is commonly used when something has just happened in the past few minutes or hours.

Ongoing Actions: The Present Continuous

French does not have an exact equivalent of the English present continuous (I am doing), but we can express ongoing actions using être en train de + infinitive.

• Formation: Être (present) + en train de + infinitive.

Example:

• Je suis en train de manger (I am eating).
• Nous sommes en train de regarder un film (We are watching a film).

This construction is used to indicate that something is happening right now, at this very moment.

Using the Infinitive in Complex Sentences

In more complex sentences, the infinitive can also be used after conjunctions and relative pronouns. Here are a few examples:

• Avant que (before):
  • Je dois partir avant que tu arrives (I have to leave before you arrive).
• Sans que (without):
  • Il est parti sans dire au revoir (He left without saying goodbye).
• Pour que (so that):
  • Je travaille pour que mes enfants aient un avenir meilleur (I work so that my children have a better future).

Higher Tier: Complex Usage of the Infinitive

Infinitive after a Direct Object: In higher-tier French, the infinitive can also follow a direct object when it’s part of a verb phrase.

Example:

• Je veux le voir (I want to see him).
• Elle doit les aider (She must help them).

Infinitive with Reflexive Verbs: When using reflexive verbs in the infinitive, the reflexive pronoun must also be used.

Example:

• Je vais me reposer (I’m going to rest).
• Nous voulons nous amuser (We want to have fun).

Infinitive with Future Actions: To express something you intend to do in the future, you can use the verb aller (to go) + infinitive.

Example:

• Je vais partir demain (I’m going to leave tomorrow).
• Ils vont étudier ce soir (They are going to study tonight).

Summary of Key Points:

Infinitive:

• The base form of a verb, e.g., manger (to eat), parler (to speak), finir (to finish).
• Used after modal verbs (vouloir, pouvoir, devoir, etc.) and certain prepositions (avant de, après, pour, etc.).

Recent Actions (Le Passé Récent):

• Venir de + infinitive to express something that just happened.
• Example: Je viens de manger (I’ve just eaten).

Ongoing Actions (Le Présent Continu):

• Être en train de + infinitive to talk about something happening right now.
• Example: Je suis en train de manger (I am eating).

Higher Tier:

• Infinitive after direct objects: Je veux le voir (I want to see him).
• Infinitive with reflexive verbs: Je vais me reposer (I’m going to rest).
• Future with aller + infinitive: Je vais partir (I’m going to leave).

By mastering these forms and structures, you'll be able to talk about a wide range of actions and events, both in the past and present.