Quand deux verbes se suivent, le deuxième se met à l'infinitif. Le premier verbe est conjugué, tandis que le second exprime l'action visée.
(When two verbs follow each other, the second one is in the infinitive. The first verb is conjugated, while the second expresses the intended action.)
- The verb that follows a modal verb such as 'pouvoir', 'falloir''vouloir', and 'devoir' is always in the infinitive.
- The verb that follows a verb of feeling such as 'aimer' is always in the infinitive.
- The verb that follows the verb 'aller' is always in the infinitive.
| Verbe principal / Expression (Main verb / Expression) | Verbe à l'infinitif (Verb in the infinitive) | Exemple (Example) |
|---|---|---|
| Verbes modaux : Vouloir, Devoir, Falloir, Pouvoir (Modal verbs: vouloir, devoir, falloir, pouvoir) | Tousser, Prendre, Consulter (To cough, to take, to consult) | Je veux tousser ; Il doit prendre son médicament ; Faut-il consulter un médecin ? (I want to cough; He has to take his medication; Should we consult a doctor?) |
| Avoir besoin / Avoir envie (de) (To need / To feel like (doing)) | Aller (To go) | J'ai besoin d'aller à la pharmacie. (I need to go to the pharmacy.) |
| Ça m'énerve (de) (It annoys me (to)) | Tomber (To fall) | Ça m'énerve de tomber toujours malade. (It annoys me to always get sick.) |
| Ça me plaît (de) (I like (to) / It pleases me (to)) | Partir (To leave) | Ça me plairait de partir en vacances. (I would like to go on vacation. ) |
| Aimer (To like / to love) | Perdre (To lose) | J'aurais aimé perdre plus de poids. (I would have liked to lose more weight.) |
| Aller (To be going to) | Prescrire (To prescribe) | Je vais vous prescrire des antibiotiques. (I’m going to prescribe you antibiotics.) |
| Souhaiter (To wish) | Acheter (To buy) | Nous souhaiterions acheter du sirop pour la toux. (We would like to buy cough syrup.) |
Exceptions!
- We use only the infinitive when the two verbs have the same subject. Example: Je veux faire.
- When the two subjects are different, we use the subjunctive. Example: Je veux que tu fasses.
Exercise 1: Multiple choice
Instruction: Choose the correct answer
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1. Vous pouvez ____ ce comprimé effervescent après le repas.
You can ____ this effervescent tablet after the meal.2. J'ai besoin ____ à la pharmacie pour acheter des pastilles pour la gorge.
I need ____ to the pharmacy to buy lozenges for my throat.3. Ça m'énerve ____ malade juste avant un déplacement professionnel.
It annoys me ____ sick right before a business trip.4. Je vais vous ____ un antibiotique si la fièvre continue demain.
I am going to ____ you an antibiotic if the fever continues tomorrow.Exercise 2: Rewrite the phrases
Instruction: Rewrite each sentence by replacing "que + conjugated verb" with "de + infinitive" when the subject is the same. Example: Je veux que je parte. → Je veux partir.
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Je dois que je prenne rendez-vous chez le médecin.⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ExampleJe dois prendre rendez-vous chez le médecin.(I have to make an appointment with the doctor.)
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Nous voulons que nous achetions du sirop pour la toux à la pharmacie.⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ExampleNous voulons acheter du sirop pour la toux à la pharmacie.(We want to buy cough syrup at the pharmacy.)
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Il faut que je consulte un médecin avant lundi.⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ExampleIl faut consulter un médecin avant lundi.(It is necessary to consult a doctor before Monday.)
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J’ai besoin que j’aille chercher mes médicaments cet après-midi.⇒ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ExampleJ’ai besoin d’aller chercher mes médicaments cet après-midi.(I need to go pick up my medications this afternoon.)
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct sentence.
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