Infinitive vs Conjugated Verbs in French
Are you confused between parler and je parle? This post breaks down the key difference between infinitive and conjugated verbs in French.
Learn when to use each form, see clear examples, and boost your grammar skills with confidence
Infinitive Verb (le verbe à l’infinitif)
- This is the basic form of the verb.
- It’s not linked to any subject (no person, no tense).
- In French, infinitive verbs usually end in -er, -ir, or -re.
Examples:
- parler (to speak)
- finir (to finish)
- prendre (to take)
Je veux manger. (I want to eat.)
Conjugated Verb (le verbe conjugué)
- A conjugated verb changes its form to match the subject and tense.
- It tells who is doing the action and when.
Examples of conjugating parler (to speak) in the present tense:
- Je parle (I speak)
- Tu parles (You speak)
- Il/Elle parle (He/She speaks)
Each subject has its own verb form. That’s conjugation!
Quick Comparison:
| Verb Form | Example | Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infinitive | aller | to go | Basic form |
| Conjugated | je vais | I go / I’m going | Subject “je” + present tense form |
Exercice 1:
Pour + verbe à l’infinitif ou EN + participe présent
Consigne : Complète chaque phrase avec pour ou en (…+ant).
1. Elle étudie ______ réussir son examen.
2. Il a appris le français ______ pratiquer tous les jours.
3. Je fais du sport ______ rester en bonne santé.
4. Ils ont résolu le problème ______ réfléchir ensemble.
5. Nous économisons de l’argent ______ acheter une voiture.
6. Elle s’est améliorée ______ écouter des podcasts en français.
7. Il travaille tard ______ terminer son projet à temps.
8. On progresse ______ faire des erreurs et les corriger.
Astuce mémo:
POUR + infinitive → purpose / goal (in order to)
EN + participe présent = naturel
Here are the English translations of the sentences:
She studies to succeed in her exam.
He learned French by practicing every day.
I exercise to stay healthy.
They solved the problem by thinking together.
We are saving money to buy a car.
She improved by listening to French podcasts.
He works late to finish his project on time.
We make progress by making mistakes and correcting them.
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Infinitive vs Conjugated Verbs in French
Infinitif vs Verbes conjugués en français – Grammar