Infinitive after Certain Verbs

The infinitive is most often used as the complement of another verb. Some verbs are followed immediately by the infinitive and do not require a preposition. These may be categorized as follows:

• Verbs of motion and perception. For example:

  • Je le regarde travailler. (I watch him work.)

  • Nous les entendons crier. (We hear them shouting.)

  • Elle voit ses enfants jouer. (She sees her children playing.)

  The verbs most often used this way are:

  • apercevoir (to notice)

  • écouter (to listen)

  • entendre (to hear)

  • paraître (to appear)

  • regarder (to watch)

  • voir (to see)

• Verbs indicating thought or most declarative verbs. For example:

  • Il espère pouvoir venir. (He hopes to be able to come.)

  • Elle nie connaître ce garçon. (She denies knowing that boy.)

    The verbs most often used this way are:

  • affirmer (to affirm)

  • croire (to believe)

  • espérer (to hope)

  • nier (to deny)

• Other common verbs:

  • Je préfère lire. (I prefer reading.)

  • Il faut écouter attentivement. (It is necessary to listen attentively.)

    The verbs most often used this way are:

  • aimer mieux (to prefer)

  • aller (to go)

  • compter (to intend)

  • désirer (to desire)

  • devoir (to have to)

  • envoyer (to send)

  • faire (to make, to do)

  • falloir (to be necessary)

  • laisser (to allow, to let)

  • oser (to dare)

  • pouvoir (to be able to)

  • préférer (to prefer)

  • savoir (to know)

  • sembler (to seem)

  • souhaiter (to wish)

  • valoir mieux (to be worth)

  • vouloir (to wish, to want)

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