#Verbs + Articles
dreamy lance
sturdy garnet
To drink = boire.
Something to drink = quelque chose à boire.
"to" in English designates an infinite verb, but it also links a verb to a noun in certain contexts like this. In French, "à" only performs this second role.
In English, instead of saying "to" twice, it may help to imagime that we just say the word once while it plays both roles.
Several words in French translate as "to" when they come before a verb. Most common are "à," "de," and "pour," though each can mean something else in other contexts.
Je commence à danser. = I start to dance.
Je veux danser. = I want to dance.
J'accepte de payer 100 euros. = I agree to pay 100 euros.
Pour arriver à l'heure, je dois courrir. = To arrive in time, I need to run.
lilac pasture
Several words in French translate as "to" when they come before a verb. Most com...
Oh this makes it even more confusing because now I don’t know whether I should use “à” ou “de” ou “pour”…
sturdy garnet
- Vouloir, pouvoir, and devoir have no linking preposition. Just put the next verb right after.
- Most other verbs use "à" or "de" to link verbs. You'll memorize these with time. Some can use either.
- "pour" is used for "in order to do something." "Pour faire..." means, "in order to do..."
- "à" in the above context translates for phrases like, "something to do," "something to eat," "someone to love," "something to drink."
lilac pasture
1. Vouloir, pouvoir, and devoir have no linking preposition. Just put the next v...
omg this helps way more and explains so much
Thanks I understand now !!
lilac pasture
1. Vouloir, pouvoir, and devoir have no linking preposition. Just put the next v...
Also is it because they are irregular only? What if there are over verbs that have the same rule, how would you be able to know?
sturdy garnet
No, I just mentioned them because they're so common! Verbs like "prétendre" (to claim) take no preposition either.
Je prétends être expert. = I claim to be an expert.
It's really a matter of memorization, but you won't need to actively study them. Whenever you learn a new verb, just take note of how it links to other verbs.
This is from my textbook (Imaginez, 5th edition, p.288). The verbs in the table take no preposition after them.
"Come see me." = « Venez me voir. »
"I like to sing." = « J'aime chanter. »
I wouldn't bother memorizing these, though. Not until you're at a stage where you're writing essays or long-form French content.
lilac pasture
No, I just mentioned them because they're so common! Verbs like "prétendre" (to ...
Also why do professions never need any article before them?? Like for example “Je suis Medecin” where’s the “a/an”?
Il est chauffuer
it sounds incomplete
Is it grammatically incorrect to put an article before professions?
sturdy garnet
"Il est chauffeur," sounds good to my ears. Once you get more advanced at French, you'll hear a beginner say, "Il est un chauffeur," and you'll be taken aback by it.
En plus, on dit « Nous sommes amis. » au lieu de « Nous sommes de amis. »
lilac pasture
En plus, on dit « Nous sommes amis. » au lieu de « Nous sommes de amis. »
Au lieu de is “instead of” but I can see the translation being “at the place of”
That’s cool
sturdy garnet
Sometimes, we say in highly formal English "in the stead of" or "in his stead."