French verbs followed by DE + INFINITIVE
These verbs must be followed by DE when they are used before verbs in the INFINITIVE form. There are other verbs that need DE, but here are some of the most common ones. It will not be helpful to translate from English to French because many times we don’t need a preposition in English. The best thing to do is work on memorizing this list.
This lesson is more advanced and includes more verbs than my A2 level lesson. Check out my full course which includes examples in French and English at the B1-B2 level. Click here for an A2 level lesson on verbs followed directly by infinitives or prepositions and enroll in my full course for free @ LLL French Academy.

accepter de to accept doing something |
accuser de to accuse (someone) of something |
arrêter de to stop doing something |
avoir besoin de to need to do something |
avoir envie de to want to do something |
avoir l’air de to seem to be doing something |
avoir l’intention de to intend to do something |
avoir peur de to be afraid of doing something |
avoir raison de to be right to do something |
avoir tort de to be wrong to do something |
cesser de to cease doing something |
choisir de to choose to do something |
conseiller de to advise (someone) to do something |
continuer de to continue doing something (negative connotation) |
décider de to decide to do something |
défendre de to not allow doing something |
demander de to ask to do something |
dire de to say to do something |
empêcher de to prevent (someone from) doing something |
envisager de to contemplate doing something |
essayer de to try to do something; to make an effort |
être obligé de to have to do something |
éviter de to avoid doing something |
faire exprès de to do something on purpose |
faire semblant de to pretend to be doing something |
finir de to finish doing something |
manquer de to neglect doing something / to almost do something |
mériter de to deserve doing something |
offrir de to offer to do something |
oublier de to forget to do something |
parler de to talk about doing something |
permettre de to allow (someone) to do something |
persuader de to persuade / convince (someone) to do something |
prévoir de to plan to do something |
promettre de to promise to do something |
proposer de to suggest doing something |
refuser de to refuse doing something |
remercier de to thank (someone) for doing something |
rêver de to dream of doing something |
risquer de to risk doing something / might do something |
se charger de to take care of doing something |
se dépêcher de to hurry (to do) something |
s’excuser de to apologize for doing something |
suggérer de to suggest doing something |
tenter de to attempt doing something |
venir de recent past = to have just done something |
B1 LEVEL: FRENCH VERBS FOLLOWED BY INFINITIVES OR NOUNS
Certain French verbs must be followed by DE, À, or NOTHING when an infinitive comes next. Some verbs require À or DE when followed by nouns. This lesson expands upon the list of common verbs you learned in my free A2 level lesson, and it includes examples for every verb in French with English translations. The examples are written at a B1-B2 level.
This is not a lesson that can really be explained as there is no rhyme or reason as to whether you need prepositions or not. I thought the best thing to do would be to provide you with comprehensive lists and practice resources. It will not be helpful to translate from English to French because many times we don’t need prepositions in English even though they’re essential in French. The best thing to do is work on memorizing these lists.
TRÈS IMPORTANT: Unlike my level A2 lesson, this is a course about verbs when followed both by infinitives as well as nouns. It is important to revise verbs followed by nouns to help you remember when to use the pronouns Y and EN as well as the relative pronoun DONT.
STEP 1: Verbs + no preposition + infinitive
Download the list without examples and keep it as a reference.
Download and study the list with examples in French and English.
Highlight the verbs and infinitives as you read the sentences aloud.
STEP 2: Verbs + À + infinitive
Download the list without examples and keep it as a reference.
Download and study the list with examples in French and English.
Highlight the verbs and infinitives as you read the sentences aloud.
STEP 3: Verbs + DE + infinitive
Download the list without examples and keep it as a reference.
Download and study the list with examples in French and English.
Highlight the verbs and infinitives as you read the sentences aloud.
STEP 4: Verbs + À + noun
Download the list without examples and keep it as a reference.
Download and study the list with examples in French and English.
Highlight the verbs and nouns as you read the sentences aloud.
STEP 5: Verbs + DE + noun
Download the list without examples and keep it as a reference.
Download and study the list with examples in French and English.
Highlight the verbs and nouns as you read the sentences aloud.
STEP 6: 100 practice cards
Fill in the blanks with À, DE, or NOTHING at all with verbs followed by infinitives and nouns. There are even some surprise cards which include other ways to use these difficult prepositions!
STEP 7: Test yourself
After having spent time using your practice cards…. It’s time to test yourself! Download your test and see how you do. The sentences are the same as the ones on the practice cards, so don’t begin this final step until you feel you’re ready for the challenge! An answer key is provided.
Other lists to master @ LLL BLOG:
👉Verbs + NO PREPOSITION + Infinitives
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