infinitifs

Infinitifs, in French grammar, are non-finite verb forms that express an action without referring to a specific subject, person, or tense. The infinitif is invariable and can function as a noun, as a complement to another verb, or as part of various periphrastic constructions. French distinguishes two main infinitives: the infinitif présent and the infinitif passé.

The infinitif présent represents the base action and is used in many common constructions. It follows prepositions such as pour, sans, avant de, and après, in some cases, and after certain verbs of perception or influence. Examples: parler, finir, partir. The infinitif passé expresses a completed action relative to another action and is formed with the appropriate auxiliary (avoir or être) in the infinitive plus the past participle, e.g., avoir mangé, être allé. The infinitif passé is often used after expressions like après, avant de, or in clauses indicating anteriority: Après avoir mangé, il est parti; Avant de partir, il a appelé.

Uses and functions. The infinitif can act as the subject of a sentence: Partir tôt est sage. It can serve as the object of a verb: Je veux partir. It follows certain verbs or adjectives: Il est difficile de comprendre; Elle aime courir. It also appears after verbs of perception: Je le vois partir. The infinitif can express purpose: pour étudier, il réussira.

Notes. The infinitif présent is the default form; the infinitif passé signals a completed action and does not vary for gender or number. Together, these forms cover many common ways to express action in a non-finite, timeless, or anterior sense in French.