French II

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)