À vs De before a French infinitive

In French, the prepositions “à” and “de” are often used before an infinitive to express purpose or origin.

Understanding the difference between these two prepositions can be challenging, but it’s important to get them right in order to communicate effectively in French.

Here are the rules for using “à” vs. “de” before a French infinitive:

1. “À” is used to express the purpose of an action.

For example: “Je vais à la plage pour nager” (I am going to the beach to swim).

2. “De” is used to express the origin of an action.

For example: “Je viens de France” (I come from France).

It’s also important to note that “à” is also used with verbs of motion (e.g. “aller”, “venir”) to indicate a destination.

For example: “Je vais à Paris” (I am going to Paris).

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between “à” and “de” before a French infinitive:

1. “Je pense à ma mère” (I think about my mother)
2. “Je rêve de voyager” (I dream of traveling)
3. “Je suis à travailler” (I am here to work)
4. “Je suis de Paris” (I am from Paris)
5. “Je vais à la bibliothèque pour étudier” (I am going to the library to study)
6. “Je viens de finir mon livre” (I have just finished my book)

It’s important to memorize these rules and practice using them in different contexts.

With time and practice, the use of “à” vs. “de” before a French infinitive will become second nature.

I hope this lesson helps you understand the difference between “à” and “de” before a French infinitive.

Good luck with your French studies!

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