A1 · مبتدئ فصل 30

Verbs Followed by Infinitives

6 القواعد الإجمالية
63 أمثلة
9 دقيقة
القواعد في هذا الفصل تدريب سريع

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of linking past actions to infinitives to speak natural French.

  • Distinguish between past participles that agree and those that stay fixed.
  • Identify when an infinitive changes the agreement rules.
  • Apply the special 'stubborn' rule for verbs like faire and laisser.
Link your verbs with confidence and flair!

ما ستتعلمه

Hey there, French language explorer! Ready to level up your speaking game? This chapter is your secret weapon for sounding super natural when you talk about things that have happened. We're diving into the fascinating world of French past participles when they team up with another action verb (an infinitive). You know how sometimes past participles change their endings? Well, it gets a little tricky when there’s an infinitive right after it. But don't you worry! We'll discover exactly WHEN they need to agree (like entendu chanter – *heard singing*) and, just as importantly, WHEN they absolutely don't (like with fait or laisser followed by an infinitive, where they're super stubborn and never change!). We’ll also peek into those tricky cases where the infinitive is implied, giving you full control over verbs like pu, voulu, and «dû.» Imagine you're chatting with a friend about a movie you *saw them running* in, or explaining that you *made someone laugh*. You'll learn the precise rules that make your sentences grammatically perfect, whether you're describing what you *heard a bird sing* or explaining how you *let the situation unfold*. By the end of this chapter, you won't just *know* these rules; you'll *feel* them! You'll be able to confidently construct complex sentences using past participles and infinitives, avoiding common beginner mistakes, and making your French sound incredibly fluent and natural. Let's make those verbs sing!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: correctly identify whether a past participle needs an agreement or remains invariant when followed by an infinitive.

دليل الفصل

نظرة عامة

Welcome to this essential French grammar guide! Understanding verbs followed by infinitives is a crucial step in mastering the language, especially at the A1 level. Infinitives, the base form of a verb (like to sing or to eat), often follow other verbs in French, creating a variety of sentence structures.
This chapter will demystify these constructions, showing you how to express actions that are perceived, caused, or allowed. We’ll explore how sometimes the past participle of the main verb needs to agree with something, and sometimes it doesn't. Don't worry if this sounds a little complex at first; we'll break it down with clear examples and practical tips to ensure you can use these structures confidently.
This chapter focuses on specific scenarios where an infinitive directly follows another verb. We'll look at situations involving perception verbs (like *voir* - to see, *entendre* - to hear) and how they interact with past participles, particularly when the subject of the main verb is also the one performing the action of the infinitive. You'll learn about the subtle but important rules of agreement, or lack thereof, in these cases.
We will also cover common verbs that often appear with infinitives, such as *faire* (to make/do) and *laisser* (to let), and how their usage can change the meaning of a sentence. By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped to understand and use these common verb-infinitive combinations, making your French more natural and fluent.

كيف تعمل هذه القاعدة

In French, when one verb is followed by another verb that expresses the action being perceived, caused, or allowed, the second verb is usually in its infinitive form. For example,
I see him run
becomes
Je le vois courir.
Here, *vois* is the main verb, and *courir* is the infinitive describing what the subject (*le* - him) is doing. This is a fundamental structure that allows for more complex sentence building.
A key point of confusion for learners is past participle agreement when these infinitive constructions are used in compound tenses (like the passé composé). We will explore how the past participle of the *first* verb (the auxiliary verb) agrees with the direct object if the direct object is placed before the verb, but only under specific conditions related to the infinitive. For instance, if you saw girls running, the past participle of *voir* would agree with girls. We will also clarify when no agreement is necessary, particularly when the direct object is actually the object of the infinitive itself.
Understanding these nuances will greatly improve the accuracy of your written and spoken French.
French Past Participle Agreement with Infinitives (entendu chanter)
When a verb of perception (like *voir*, *entendre*, *écouter*, *regarder*) is used in a compound tense (e.g., passé composé) and is followed by an infinitive, the past participle of the perception verb agrees with the direct object (COD) *if* that direct object is placed before the verb. This means if the person or thing being perceived is mentioned before the verb, you need to adjust the ending of the past participle.
Consider the case of hearing someone sing. If you heard a woman sing, and the direct object her (la) comes before the verb *entendre*, the past participle *entendu* will agree with *la* (feminine singular). So, instead of "J'ai entendu chanter, it becomes Je l'ai entendue chanter." The extra 'e' on *entendue* shows agreement with *l'* (referring to *la femme*).
French Past Participle Agreement with Infinitive (vus courir vs. vu construire)
This rule applies when the direct object (COD) is performing the action of the infinitive. If you saw someone running, and someone (le/la) is before the verb *voir*, the past participle *vu* agrees with that object. For example, if you saw a boy running, "Je l'ai vu courir.
If you saw a girl running,
Je l'ai vue courir." The agreement happens because *l'* refers to the boy or girl who is doing the running.
However, if the infinitive is a transitive verb (one that takes its own direct object), and that object is placed *after* the infinitive, then there is no agreement with the direct object of the main verb. For example, if you saw a house being built, the infinitive is *construire*. The direct object of *construire* is the house (*la maison*).
If you say "Je l'ai vu construire," *vu* does not agree with *l'* (the house) because the house is the object of *construire*, not *voir*. The construction is being done *to* the house.
Past Participle with Implied Infinitive (pu, voulu, dû)
Certain verbs, particularly *pouvoir* (to be able to), *vouloir* (to want), and *devoir* (to have to/must), have past participles (*pu*, *voulu*, *dû*) that sometimes appear without an explicit infinitive following them. In these cases, the past participle often agrees with the direct object if it precedes the verb. This happens when the object is the thing that was able to be, wanted, or had to be done.
For example, if someone asked for two books and you only had one, you might say, "Je n'ai pu en prendre qu'un." Here, *pu* doesn't agree because *en* is an indirect object. However, if you had wanted to eat some apples, and you only ate one, you could say, "Je n'ai voulu en manger qu'une." The past participle *voulu* agrees with *une* (the apple) because *une* is the direct object of the implied infinitive *manger*.
The 'Unchangeable' Fait (Faire + Infinitive)
The verb *faire* followed by an infinitive is a very common construction in French, often translating to
to make someone do something
or
to have something done.
When *faire* is used in this way, its past participle (*fait*) generally does not agree with the direct object, even if that object is placed before the verb. This is because the object is considered to be the recipient of the action of the infinitive, not the direct object of *faire* itself in the same way as with perception verbs.
For instance, if you made your children clean their room, you would say, "J'ai fait nettoyer leur chambre à mes enfants.
Even if you wanted to say
I made them clean their room" (*Je les ai fait nettoyer leur chambre*), the past participle *fait* remains invariable. The children are the indirect object of *faire* in this construction, and the direct object of *nettoyer*.
Letting Things Happen: The Verb 'Laisser' with Infinitives
Similar to *faire*, the verb *laisser* (to let, to allow) followed by an infinitive generally does not agree in its past participle (*laissé*) with a preceding direct object. The direct object is considered to be the one being allowed to do something, or the thing being allowed to happen.
For example, if you let your dog go outside, you would say, "J'ai laissé sortir mon chien.
If you wanted to say
I let them go, you would say, Je les ai laissés sortir." Ah, wait! Here is an exception to the general rule. *Laisser* *can* agree when the direct object is a person or thing that is being allowed to *do* something.
So, in
Je les ai laissés sortir,
the *e* on *laissés* agrees with *les* because *les* are the ones doing the *sortir*. This is a nuance to remember.
No Agreement: When the Object Belongs to the Infinitive (Pas d'accord : COD objet de l'infinitif)
This rule reinforces a point made earlier. When the direct object (COD) of the main verb is actually the direct object of the infinitive that follows, the past participle of the main verb does not agree with that object. The object is owned by the infinitive's action.
Think about seeing a book being read. If you saw a book being read, you would say, "J'ai vu lire le livre." Here, *vu* does not agree with *le livre* because *le livre* is the object of *lire*, not *voir*. The action of reading is performed *on* the book.
If you say, "Je l'ai vu lire," where *l'* refers to the book, *vu* still does not agree because the book is the object of *lire*.

الأخطاء الشائعة

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "J'ai vu les filles courues."
✓ Correct: "J'ai vu les filles courir."
*Explanation:* The infinitive *courir* should be used here, not the past participle. Agreement only happens with perception verbs in compound tenses when the infinitive is also a past participle, which is not the case here.
  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Je les ai fait manger.
✓ Correct:
Je les ai fait manger.
*Explanation:* The past participle *fait* is invariable when *faire* is followed by an infinitive, even if the direct object *les* is placed before the verb.

محادثات حقيقية

A

A

J'ai vu Marie chanter hier. (I saw Marie sing yesterday.)
B

B

Ah oui ? Je l'ai entendue chanter aussi ! (Oh yes? I heard her sing too!)
A

A

Tu as fait réparer ta voiture ? (Did you have your car repaired?)
B

B

Oui, je l'ai fait réparer ce matin. (Yes, I had it repaired this morning.)

أسئلة شائعة

Q

When does the past participle agree with the direct object when an infinitive follows?

The past participle of the main verb (like *voir*, *entendre*) agrees with the direct object if that object is placed before the verb AND is the one performing the action of the infinitive.

Q

Is there ever agreement with *faire* + infinitive?

Generally, no. The past participle *fait* is invariable in this construction.

السياق الثقافي

In French culture, the precise use of verb agreement is highly valued. Mastering these rules, even the seemingly complex ones involving infinitives, demonstrates a strong command of the language and a respect for its grammatical structure. It allows for clearer and more nuanced communication, which is appreciated in all forms of interaction.

أمثلة رئيسية (6)

1

Les musiciens que j'ai `entendus` jouer au métro étaient géniaux.

الموسيقيون الذين سمعتهم يعزفون في المترو كانوا رائعين.

مطابقة اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (سمعته يغني)
2

C'est la vidéo que j'ai `vu` circuler sur TikTok ce matin.

هذا هو الفيديو الذي رأيته ينتشر على تيك توك هذا الصباح.

مطابقة اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (سمعته يغني)
3

Les musiciens que j'ai entendus jouer étaient géniaux.

The musicians I heard playing were great.

اتفاق اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (vus courir vs. vu construire)
4

La chanson que j'ai entendu chanter par la foule.

The song I heard being sung by the crowd.

اتفاق اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (vus courir vs. vu construire)
5

J'ai fait réparer mon écran de smartphone.

I had my smartphone screen repaired.

قاعدة 'Fait' الثابتة (Faire + Infinitive)
6

La pizza que j'ai fait livrer était froide.

The pizza I had delivered was cold.

قاعدة 'Fait' الثابتة (Faire + Infinitive)

نصائح وحيل (4)

🎯

قاعدة "faire" هي صديقتك المفضلة

لا تتفق أبدًا مع fait عندما يأتي بعدها مصدر. هذا يوفر عليك الكثير من الوقت.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: مطابقة اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (سمعته يغني)
💡

The Agent Test

Ask yourself: is the object doing the action? If yes, no agreement.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: اتفاق اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (vus courir vs. vu construire)
🎯

خدعة الترجمة

لو تقدر تضيف كلمة 'يفعل' أو 'يأخذ' في نهاية الجملة بالعربي، يبقى الفعل الفرنسي بيفضل مفرد. مثلاً: "J'ai fait ce que j'ai pu."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: المشاركة الماضية مع فعل مصدر مضمر (pu, voulu, dû)
💡

The 'Boss' Rule

Remember: if you are the boss, you use 'faire'. If you are the worker, you don't.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: قاعدة 'Fait' الثابتة (Faire + Infinitive)

المفردات الرئيسية (5)

entendu heard fait made/done laissé let/left voulu wanted pu been able to

Real-World Preview

music

The Concert

Review Summary

  • COD + avoir + PP (agree)
  • Fait + infinitive

أخطاء شائعة

The songs aren't hearing, they are being sung. The object belongs to the infinitive.

Wrong: Les chansons que j'ai entendues chanter.
صحيح: Les chansons que j'ai entendu chanter.

Fait before an infinitive never agrees.

Wrong: La maison que j'ai faite construire.
صحيح: La maison que j'ai fait construire.

Voulu with an implied infinitive does not agree.

Wrong: Elle a voulue manger.
صحيح: Elle a voulu manger.

القواعد في هذا الفصل (6)

1

مطابقة اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (سمعته يغني)

A1
اتفق دائمًا مع اسم المفعول إذا كان المفعول به المباشر هو من يقوم بفعل المصدر. غير ذلك، لا تتفق!
Les musiciens que j'ai `entendus` jouer au métro é...
10 أمثلة
2

اتفاق اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (vus courir vs. vu construire)

A1
Agree the past participle only if the preceding direct object is the one performing the following infinitive's action.
Les musiciens que j'ai entendus jouer étaient géni...
10 أمثلة
3

المشاركة الماضية مع فعل مصدر مضمر (pu, voulu, dû)

A1
لما يكون فيه فعل مخفي في نهاية الجملة، انسَ الإضافات وخليك في الصيغة الأساسية: pu، voulu، «dû».
J'ai fait toutes les pompes que j'ai pu.
11 أمثلة
4

قاعدة 'Fait' الثابتة (Faire + Infinitive)

A1
When fait is followed by an infinitive, it never changes its ending, regardless of gender or number.
J'ai fait réparer mon écran de smartphone.
10 أمثلة
5

السماح بحدوث الأشياء: فعل 'Laisser' مع المصدر

A1
عندما يأتي فعل في المصدر بعد laissé في الماضي، فإنها تبقى ثابتة ولا تتغير أبداً، تذكر دائماً: laissé هي البطلة الوحيدة هنا.
J'ai laissé partir mes amis.
12 أمثلة
6

لا توجد مطابقة: عندما ينتمي المفعول به إلى المصدر (Pas d'accord : COD objet de l'infinitif)

A1
لما يجي فعل في المصدر بعد الفعل الماضي، بنوقف المطابقة وبنخلي الكلمات voulu و pu و fait ثابتة وشكلها بسيط.
Les devoirs que j'ai dû faire étaient difficiles.
10 أمثلة

Next Steps

You have completed this chapter! Your French is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Keep practicing!

Write a diary entry for yesterday.

Continue to: Special Cases and Advanced Structures

تدريب سريع (10)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Les chansons que j'ai vu chanter.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les chansons que j'ai entendues chanter
Agreement required for patient.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: اتفاق اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (vus courir vs. vu construire)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je fais réparer ma voiture.
Infinitive is required.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: قاعدة 'Fait' الثابتة (Faire + Infinitive)

ابحث عن الخطأ وقم بتصحيحه

La maison que j'ai faite construire est grande.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La maison que j'ai fait construire est grande.
الفعل fait لا يتفق أبدًا عندما يتبعه مصدر.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: مطابقة اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (سمعته يغني)

أي جملة هي الصحيحة؟

اختر الجملة الصحيحة قواعدياً حسب اللغة الحديثة:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Elle les a laissé partir.
في الفرنسية الحديثة، laissé المتبوعة بمصدر لا تتطابق مع المفعول به الذي يسبقها.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: السماح بحدوث الأشياء: فعل 'Laisser' مع المصدر

Correct the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Il fait mange le gâteau.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il fait manger le gâteau.
Infinitive required.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: قاعدة 'Fait' الثابتة (Faire + Infinitive)

املأ الفراغ بالشكل الصحيح للفعل 'laisser'.

J'ai ____ sortir {le|m} chien.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: laissé
بما أنه يتبعها فعل في المصدر وهو 'sortir'، فإن 'laissé' تظل ثابتة ولا تتغير.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: السماح بحدوث الأشياء: فعل 'Laisser' مع المصدر

جد الخطأ في هذه الجملة وقم بتصحيحه.

Find and fix the mistake:

Nous avons laissés tomber nos verres.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous avons laissé tomber nos verres.
يجب استخدام 'laissé' بدون حرف 's' لأنها متبوعة بفعل في المصدر 'tomber'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: السماح بحدوث الأشياء: فعل 'Laisser' مع المصدر

أي جملة صحيحة؟

اختر الجملة الصحيحة نحويًا عن فتيات رأيتهن يرقصن:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les filles que j'ai vues danser.
المفعول به المباشر Les filles قبل الفعل وهن من يقمن بفعل الرقص، لذلك نضيف es.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: مطابقة اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (سمعته يغني)

Fill in the blank.

Je les ai ___ (voir) partir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vu
No agreement because they are the agents.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: اتفاق اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (vus courir vs. vu construire)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les filles que j'ai vu danser
No agreement for agent.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: اتفاق اسم المفعول الفرنسي مع المصدر (vus courir vs. vu construire)

Score: /10

أسئلة شائعة (6)

لأن الأغنية ليست هي من يقوم بالغناء؛ بل تُغنى. لا يلزم الاتفاق.
هنا، المغنون هم من يغنون، لذلك نتفق مع entendus.
Because the object is the agent of the infinitive.
No, mostly perception verbs.
يعني نهاية الكلمة ما بتتغيرش، ما بنضيفش 'e' للمؤنث ولا 's' للجمع. بيفضل زي ما هو: pu.
أيوه، لأن فعل 'voulu' بيجي وراه فعل تاني مخفي زي 'يفعل' أو 'يذهب'. مثلاً: "J'ai fait ce que j'ai voulu."
الفصل السابق
Agreement with Groups and Politeness
الفصل التالي
Special Cases and Advanced Structures
العودة إلى خارطة الطريق