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:
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Je le regarde travailler. (I watch him work.)
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Nous les entendons crier. (We hear them shouting.)
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Elle voit ses enfants jouer. (She sees her children playing.)
The verbs most often used this way are:
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apercevoir (to notice)
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écouter (to listen)
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entendre (to hear)
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paraître (to appear)
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regarder (to watch)
-
voir (to see)
Verbs indicating thought or most declarative verbs. For example:
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Il espère pouvoir venir. (He hopes to be able to come.)
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Elle nie connaître ce garçon. (She denies knowing that boy.)
The verbs most often used this way are:
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affirmer (to affirm)
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croire (to believe)
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espérer (to hope)
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nier (to deny)
Other common verbs:
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Je préfère lire. (I prefer reading.)
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Il faut écouter attentivement. (It is necessary to listen attentively.)
The verbs most often used this way are:
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aimer mieux (to prefer)
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aller (to go)
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compter (to intend)
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désirer (to desire)
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devoir (to have to)
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envoyer (to send)
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faire (to make, to do)
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falloir (to be necessary)
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laisser (to allow, to let)
-
oser (to dare)
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pouvoir (to be able to)
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préférer (to prefer)
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savoir (to know)
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sembler (to seem)
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souhaiter (to wish)
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valoir mieux (to be worth)
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vouloir (to wish, to want)