Why Do Some French Verbs Use “à” or “de”?
In French, many verbs are followed by another verb in the infinitive form or by a noun. The preposition that connects these two words—often “à” or “de”—is determined by the first verb. Unlike English, where prepositions are more flexible, French verbs tend to “require” a specific preposition or sometimes none at all. This is known as verb-preposition collocation and must be memorized, as there are no absolute rules that apply to every verb.
General Guidelines for “à” and “de”
While there are exceptions, some general patterns can help guide you:
- Verbs followed by “à” often indicate a direction, an intention, or a movement toward something (real or abstract).
- Verbs followed by “de” can suggest removal, coming from, stopping, or avoidance.
- Some verbs never take a preposition when followed by another verb, so it’s important to learn these as well.
Common Verbs That Take “à”
Here are some frequently used French verbs that are typically followed by “à” before an infinitive:
- Commencer à (to start to)
- Réussir à (to succeed in)
- Aider à (to help to)
- Apprendre à (to learn to)
- Hésiter à (to hesitate to)
- Se mettre à (to begin to)
- Arriver à (to manage to)
Example: Il commence à parler. (He starts to speak.)
Common Verbs That Take “de”
Below are some verbs that commonly require “de” before the infinitive:
- Arrêter de (to stop doing)
- Essayer de (to try to)
- Décider de (to decide to)
- Oublier de (to forget to)
- Refuser de (to refuse to)
- Finir de (to finish doing)
- Venir de (to have just)
Example: Elle a décidé de partir. (She decided to leave.)
Tricky Verbs: When “à” and “de” Change the Meaning
Some verbs can take both “à” and “de,” but the meaning changes depending on the preposition:
- Penser à (to think about) vs. Penser de (to have an opinion about)
- Continuer à (to continue to) vs. Continuer de (also means to continue to, but is less common and slightly more formal)
Example: Je pense à toi. (I’m thinking about you.)
Que penses-tu de ce film? (What do you think of this movie?)
Verbs That Do Not Take a Preposition
Some verbs are followed directly by the infinitive, without “à” or “de”. For example:
- Aimer (to like/love)
- Vouloir (to want)
- Pouvoir (to be able to/can)
- Devoir (to have to/must)
- Savoir (to know how to)
- Espérer (to hope)
Example: Elle veut apprendre le français. (She wants to learn French.)
Tips to Remember Which Preposition to Use
- Memorization is key: Create flashcards or lists of verbs with their required prepositions.
- Practice in context: Use the verbs in sentences when speaking or writing.
- Read and listen: Notice verb-preposition pairs in French books, podcasts, or conversations.
- Use resources: Language learning tools like Talkpal can help you internalize these patterns through targeted exercises.
How Talkpal Can Help
At Talkpal, we understand that mastering verb-preposition combinations is one of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of learning French. Our AI-powered language exercises, interactive dialogues, and quizzes are designed to reinforce these tricky patterns, helping you build confidence and accuracy in your French communication.
Conclusion
Knowing whether a French verb takes “à” or “de” is all about exposure, memorization, and practice. By referring to common lists, paying attention to context, and practicing regularly with tools like Talkpal, you’ll gradually internalize these structures. Don’t be discouraged by mistakes—every error is a step toward fluency. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon find yourself using French verbs and their prepositions naturally and correctly!
