20 French Verbs Followed by DE + Infinitive (With Examples)
In French, many verbs must be followed by the preposition de when another verb comes next in the infinitive form.
For example:
- J’arrête de parler. — I’m stopping talking.
- Elle essaie de comprendre. — She’s trying to understand.
- Nous avons décidé de partir. — We decided to leave.
One of the challenges for English speakers is that the preposition isn’t always used in English. You can’t simply translate word for word. It’s important to learn which French verbs require de + infinitive.
In this lesson, you’ll find 20 common French verbs and expressions followed by de, along with example sentences and English translations. This isn’t a complete list, but it’s a useful selection to start learning and using in everyday French.
You can download a PDF of this lesson guide in my private French Grammar Library.
For an even longer list of verbs and expressions followed by de + infinitive, see my longer list of French verbs followed by de.
How to Use DE + Infinitive in French
When one of these verbs is followed by another verb, the second verb stays in the infinitive. The preposition de comes between the two verbs.
For example:
- Je décide de partir. — I decide to leave.
- Tu essaies de comprendre. — You’re trying to understand.
- Ils refusent de répondre. — They refuse to answer.
DE or D’?
The preposition de becomes d’ before a vowel or a silent h.
- essayer de comprendre
- arrêter de parler
- décider d’attendre
- oublier d’appeler
The verb that follows de or d’ always stays in the infinitive.
Common French Verbs and Expressions Followed by DE + Infinitive
Expressing Choices, Decisions, and Intentions
accepter de — to agree to / accept doing something
Nous acceptons d’assister à votre mariage.
We agree to attend your wedding.
choisir de — to choose to do something
Vous choisissez de rester chez vous.
You choose to stay home.
décider de — to decide to do something
Ils décident de faire une présentation.
They decide to give a presentation.
avoir l’intention de — to intend to do something
On n’a pas l’intention de voyager cet hiver.
We don’t intend to travel this winter.
promettre de — to promise to do something
Nous promettons de ranger notre chambre.
We promise to clean our room.
Expressing Feelings, Needs, and Opinions
avoir besoin de — to need to do something
Tu as besoin d’étudier ces verbes.
You need to study these verbs.
avoir envie de — to feel like doing something / to want to do something
Qui a envie d’aller voir le nouveau film ?
Who wants to go see the new movie?
avoir l’air de — to seem to do something / to seem to be doing something
Tu as l’air de vouloir dire quelque chose.
You seem to want to say something.
avoir peur de — to be afraid to do something
Mon frère a peur de prendre l’avion.
My brother is afraid to fly.
avoir raison de — to be right to do something
Vous avez raison d’avoir peur.
You’re right to be afraid.
avoir tort de — to be wrong to do something
Vous avez tort de ne pas me faire confiance.
You’re wrong not to trust me.
rêver de — to dream of doing something
Ses petits-enfants rêvent d’aller à Disneyland.
His or her grandchildren dream of going to Disneyland.
Expressing Attempts, Actions, and Habits
arrêter de — to stop doing something
J’arrête de parler.
I’m stopping talking.
essayer de — to try to do something
Nous essayons de te comprendre.
We’re trying to understand you.
finir de — to finish doing something
Elles finissent d’écrire l’exercice.
They’re finishing writing the exercise.
oublier de — to forget to do something
Tu oublies toujours de faire tes devoirs.
You always forget to do your homework.
risquer de — to risk doing something / to be likely to do something
Vous risquez de perdre toutes vos affaires.
You risk losing all your belongings.
faire exprès de — to do something on purpose
Je ne fais pas exprès de faire du bruit.
I’m not making noise on purpose.
Other Useful Expressions
être obligé(e) de — to have to / to be obliged to do something
Nous sommes obligés de partir à 18 h 30.
We have to leave at 6:30 p.m.
demander à quelqu’un de — to ask someone to do something
Je demande à mes enfants de ranger leur chambre.
I ask my children to tidy their room.
offrir à quelqu’un de — to offer to do something for someone
Il m’a offert de m’aider.
He offered to help me.
Remember: Some Verbs Take DE, Others Take À
When one verb is followed by another verb in the infinitive, French sometimes requires de, sometimes à, and sometimes no preposition at all.
Unfortunately, there isn’t one rule that tells you which preposition to use. You need to learn the construction that goes with each verb.
Compare:
- J’essaie de comprendre. — I’m trying to understand.
- J’apprends à conduire. — I’m learning to drive.
- Je veux partir. — I want to leave.
Pay attention to the preposition whenever you encounter a new verb followed by an infinitive. It’s an important part of learning how to use that verb correctly.
For a broader explanation, see my lesson on French prepositions before infinitives, which covers verbs followed by de, à, or no preposition.
You can also review my list of French verbs followed by à + infinitive to learn which verbs require the other common preposition.
FAQ
How do you know whether to use DE or À before an infinitive in French?
It depends on the verb that comes before the infinitive. Some verbs require de, others require à, and some are followed directly by an infinitive. You need to learn the correct construction for each verb.
Does the verb after DE stay in the infinitive?
Yes. When a verb is followed by de + infinitive, the second verb stays in its infinitive form.
For example: J’essaie de comprendre, not J’essaie de comprends.
Does DE become D’ before an infinitive?
Yes. Use d’ before a vowel or silent h.
- décider d’attendre
- oublier d’appeler
- essayer de comprendre
Are all French verbs followed by DE?
No. Some verbs require à, and others do not require a preposition. The best way to learn these patterns is to pay attention to the preposition that follows each verb.
French Verbs Followed By DE + Infinitive Video Lesson
