A1 · 入门 章节 30

Verbs Followed by Infinitives

6 总规则
63 例句
9 分钟
本章规则 快速练习

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!

你将学到什么

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.

章节指南

Overview

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.

How This Grammar Works

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*.

Common Mistakes

  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.

Real Conversations

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.)

Quick FAQ

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.

Cultural Context

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.

关键例句 (8)

1

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

The musicians I heard playing in the subway were great.

法语过去分词与不定式的配合（听见正在唱歌）
2

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

This is the video I saw circulating on TikTok this morning.

法语过去分词与不定式的配合（听见正在唱歌）
3

Les musiciens que j'ai entendus jouer étaient géniaux.

我听到的那些乐手弹得真棒。

法语过去分词与不定词的搭配一致 (vus courir vs. vu construire)
4

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

我听到人群在唱那首歌。

法语过去分词与不定词的搭配一致 (vus courir vs. vu construire)
5

J'ai fait réparer mon écran de smartphone.

我修了我的手机屏幕。

不变的 'Fait'：请人做某事 (Faire + 不定式)
6

La pizza que j'ai fait livrer était froide.

我叫外卖的那份披萨凉了。

不变的 'Fait'：请人做某事 (Faire + 不定式)
7

Les devoirs que j'ai dû faire étaient difficiles.

我不得不做的作业很难。

无配合：当宾语属于不定式时 (Pas d'accord : COD objet de l'infinitif)
8

C'est la chanson que j'ai voulu chanter.

这就是我原本想唱的那首歌。

无配合：当宾语属于不定式时 (Pas d'accord : COD objet de l'infinitif)

技巧与窍门 (4)

💡

The Agent Test

Always ask: 'Is the object doing the action?' If yes, agree.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 法语过去分词与不定式的配合（听见正在唱歌）
🎯

Faire 的万能假条

只要看到 faire 后面跟着动词原形，它永远保持原样，千万别加 s 或 e！
Elle les a fait rire.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 法语过去分词与不定词的搭配一致 (vus courir vs. vu construire)
🎯

“隐形动作”小窍门

如果句尾可以补上“去做”或“去拿”，分词就不用变。比如："J'ai fait ce que j'ai pu."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 带有隐含不定式的过去分词 (pu, voulu, dû)
⚠️

配合陷阱

母语者有时也会写错，但这是考试的重点！一定要检查后面有没有动词原形。比如："J'ai fait réparer ma voiture."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 不变的 'Fait'：请人做某事 (Faire + 不定式)

核心词汇 (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

常见错误

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

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

Fait before an infinitive never agrees.

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

Voulu with an implied infinitive does not agree.

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

本章规则 (6)

1

法语过去分词与不定式的配合（听见正在唱歌）

A1
Only agree the past participle if the preceding direct object is the one doing the following infinitive action.
Les musiciens que j'ai `entendus` jouer au métro é...
10 例句
2

法语过去分词与不定词的搭配一致 (vus courir vs. vu construire)

A1
只有当前面的宾语是“动作执行者”时才配合，记住这些关键词： voir 看到, entendre 听到, faire 让某人做。
Les musiciens que j'ai entendus jouer étaient géni...
10 例句
3

带有隐含不定式的过去分词 (pu, voulu, dû)

A1
当过去分词后面藏着一个“隐形”的动作时，分词永远保持最基础的样子，不需要变性数。记住这三个“固定”好伙伴：pu、voulu 和 «dû»。
J'ai fait toutes les pompes que j'ai pu.
11 例句
4

不变的 'Fait'：请人做某事 (Faire + 不定式)

A1
当 fait 后面紧跟一个动词原形时，它就像被“冻住”了一样，无论主语是谁，永远保持 fait 这个样子。
J'ai fait réparer mon écran de smartphone.
10 例句
5

让事情发生：动词 'Laisser' 与不定式

A1
当 laissé 后面跟着动词原形时，它就像穿了防弹衣一样，永远不随主语或宾语变化。记住这些核心组合：laissé partir、laissé tomber、laissé entrer。
J'ai laissé partir mes amis.
12 例句
6

无配合：当宾语属于不定式时 (Pas d'accord : COD objet de l'infinitif)

A1
当后面的不定式动词（动词原形）“拥有”前面的宾语时，过去分词就变懒了，保持 voulu、pu 或 fait 这种最简单的形式。
Les devoirs que j'ai dû faire étaient difficiles.
10 例句

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

快速练习 (10)

Correct the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

Les maisons que j'ai faites construire.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les maisons que j'ai fait construire.
Fait is invariable.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 法语过去分词与不定式的配合（听见正在唱歌）

找错并改正

Find and fix the mistake:

Les vidéos que j'ai dues regarder étaient longues.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les vidéos que j'ai dû regarder étaient longues.
'dû' 不应该加 'es'，因为 'vidéos' 是后面 'regarder' 的宾语。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 无配合：当宾语属于不定式时 (Pas d'accord : COD objet de l'infinitif)

Fill in the correct form of the participle.

La fille que j'ai ____ (voir) danser.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vue
The girl is the agent.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 法语过去分词与不定式的配合（听见正在唱歌）

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La chanson que j'ai entendu chanter.
The song is not the agent.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 法语过去分词与不定式的配合（听见正在唱歌）

找错并改正

Find and fix the mistake:

Les pizzas que j'ai faites livrer sont délicieuses.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les pizzas que j'ai fait livrer sont délicieuses.
当 'faire' 后面跟着像 'livrer' 这样的动词原形时，禁止进行配合。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 不变的 'Fait'：请人做某事 (Faire + 不定式)

找出并改正错误

改正：Il a payé les dettes qu'il a dues.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il a payé les dettes qu'il a dû.
错误在于给 dû 加了阴性复数后缀 es。在这种情况下，dû 必须保持原样。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 带有隐含不定式的过去分词 (pu, voulu, dû)

填空

Nous avons ___ construire une piscine. (faire)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: fait
在使役结构（fait + 动词原形）中，过去分词永远不与主语或宾语配合。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 不变的 'Fait'：请人做某事 (Faire + 不定式)

在空格处填入正确形式的 'laisser'。

J'ai ____ sortir le chien.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: laissé
因为后面跟着动词原形 'sortir'，所以过去分词 'laissé' 永远不变。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 让事情发生：动词 'Laisser' 与不定式

哪句话是正确的？

选择“我想买的书”的正确表达：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les livres que j'ai voulu acheter.
因为 'livres' 是不定式 'acheter' 的宾语，过去分词 'voulu' 保持单数阳性。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 无配合：当宾语属于不定式时 (Pas d'accord : COD objet de l'infinitif)

填空

La maison qu'il a ___ (fait) construire est belle.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: fait
当后面跟着不定式时，'fait' 永远不需要配合。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 无配合：当宾语属于不定式时 (Pas d'accord : COD objet de l'infinitif)

Score: /10

常见问题 (6)

It is treated as part of a compound verb with the infinitive.
The agreement is silent, so it's only visible in writing.
法语想分清到底是谁在动。就像“语法导航仪”一样。 "C'est plus clair."
没有哦。英语里看到跳舞和看到被建，动词都不变。
English is easier here!
意思就是分词结尾不加 e（阴性）也不加 s（复数），永远用阳性单数形式。比如："J'ai fait ce que j'ai pu."
是的，因为像 vouloir 这种动词通常暗示了第二个动作（比如“去做”），所以它不配合。比如："Les pommes que j'ai voulu [manger]."
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