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In English, an infinitive contains the preposition "to" in front of it: "to give", "to finish", "to sell". In French an infinitive has a certain ending. There are three major types of infinitives in French: those that end in -er (donner) ; those that end in -ir (finir) ; and those that end in -re(vendre).
Verbs that end in -oir are considered to be a separate type of -ir verb. They do not follow the same pattern and must be learned individually. Some examples: devoir ( to have to, to owe), recevoir ( to receive), savoir (to know) , vouloir ( to want).
Make an infinitive negative in French by placing ne pas in front of it.
Je vous dis de ne pas sortir. I am telling you not to go out.
The infinitive is often used after a verb of perception to express an action that is in progress.
J'entends quelqu'un chanter. I hear somebody singing.
Je vois venir les enfants. I see the children coming.
Some common verbs of perception are: apercevoir to perceive, écouter to listen to, entendre to hear, regarder to look at, sentir to feel, voir to see.
There are certain French verbs that take either the preposition à or de + infinitive.
Il commence à pleuvoir. It is beginning to rain.
Il a cessé de pleuvoir. It has stopped raining.
Avant de and sans + infinitive
Sylvie a mangé avant de sortir. Sylvia ate before going out.
André est parti sans dire un mot. Andrew left without saying a word.
Note also the preposition afin de and pour.
Marie est allée en France afin d'améliorer son français. Mary went to France (in order) to improve her French.
J'ai mis mon manteau pour sortir. I put on my coat to go out.
Use of infinitive instead of a verb form.
Generally speaking, an infinitive is used instead of a verb form if the subject in a sentence is the same for the actions expressed.
Je veux faire le travail. I want to do the work.
But, if there are two different subjects, you must use a new clause and a new verb form. (Note that the wishes expressed in the following two statements require the subjunctive mood.)
Je veux que vous fassiez le travail. I want you to do the work.
Je préfère que vous vous couchiez tôt. I prefer that you go to bed early.
but
préférer does not require the subjunctive when you are not using the expression préférer que
Je préfère me coucher tôt. I prefr to go to bed early.
past infinitive
In French the past infinitive is expressed by using the infinitive form of avoir or être + past participle of the main verb being used.
Après avoir quitté la maison, Monsieur et Madame Dubé sont allés au cinéma. After leaving (having left) the house, Mr. and Mrs. Dubé went to the movies.
Après être arrivée, Jeanne a envoyé un texto à sa mère. After arriving (having arrived), Jeanne texted her mother.