Chapitre Trois
Two-verb Constructions
Exercice 3.5 - 3.8
As in English, when you have two verbs that are directly linked to one another in the same phrase, the first verb will be conjugated and the second verb will remain in the infinitive:
I want [to play].
They love [to dance].
He needs [to practice].
We know how [to cook].
(We have a different mood, the subjunctive, when there is a change in subject. We will see this later.)
Verbs that take Position 1 in two-verb constructions (remember to conjugate):
Verbs that take Position 2 in two-verb constructions can be:
Any action! Remember to keep the infinitive form.
1st verb conjugated, 2nd verb remains in the infinitive
If your verbs are not directly linked, conjugate each action. Here is an example where “and” breaks up the verbs:
When your sentence takes a turn with a conjunction (connector word) and you initiate a new phrase, you will need to conjugate the first verb again. Watch out for signs you are starting a new phrase like:
Il faut beaucoup étudier parce que je veux avoir de bonnes notes.
Il faut beaucoup étudier quand on a un examen.
Joanne chante et danse avec un groupe folklorique.
Je veux voyager au Canada, mais je n’ai pas assez d’argent.
Exercice 3.5
Exercice 3.6
avoir + besoin + de + infinitive
One very common expression using a conjugated verb with an infinitive is avoir besoin de + infinitive, which means “To need to __________________.” Conjugate avoir based on who has the obligation, insert the words besoin de, then use the infinitive for whatever activity needs to be done. Note that there is no change with de + verbe except for contractions: d’ before vowels and h.
Modèle : J’ai besoin d’étudier ce soir, mais Paul a besoin de travailler beaucoup ce week-end. Est-ce que tu as besoin de rendre visite à tes parents ce soir ?
il faut + infinitive
This structure can be easily used and doesn’t require a defined subject.
Modèle : Il faut manger des légumes. Il faut étudier tous les jours quand on est étudiant.
Mes amis ont besoin d’étudier souvent pour leur cours de biologie.
J’ai besoin de faire la vidange (change car oil) .
Exercice 3.7
Exercice 3.8
Note: There are a couple of common expressions that have a similar meaning:
You can change your conjugation of avoir to reflect “you have to” or “we have to,” etc.
Audio 3.a
Media Attributions
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- Bored is licensed under a CC BY-NC (Attribution NonCommercial) license
- Professor is licensed under a CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution NonCommercial NoDerivatives) license
to love
to dislike
to need to
It is necessary
to know/to know how to
to be able to
to want/to want to
He likes/loves
to travel
They don't like
to sing
I need to
to study
to practice
French
She knows (how)
to cook
we are able/we can
to speak
French
you want
to eat
a pizza
My wife ("mon" is used here instead of "ma" due to the vowel at the beginning of "épouse")
works
and
studies
Because
a lot/much
I want
to have
good grades
when
one has/we have
Masculine singular indefinite article: a/an
exam/test
sings
dances
with
folk group
but
to/in Canada
I don't have
enough money
need
of
this evening
needs to
to work
this weekend
Do/Is it that (interrogative phrase)
you need to
pay a visit to
your parents
some vegetables
every day
one is/we are
student
my friends
need to
often
for
this word serves two distinct grammar functions:
their (as a possessive before a singular noun)
to them (as an indirect object pronoun)
biology course
I have stuff to do
I have a ton to do
I have nothing to do
