French grammar lessons | verbs followed by à | verbs followed by de
Published May 8, 2020 • Updated April 15, 2026 — Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson.
📘 Why some French verbs are not followed by a preposition
In French, some verbs are followed directly by another verb without using à or de. For example, J’aime danser (I like to dance) and Je peux venir (I can come). This structure is very common and appears in everyday conversation.
Unlike verbs followed by à or de, these verbs connect directly to the infinitive. The best way to learn them is to recognize the pattern and practice with real examples.
🔟 Common French verbs followed directly by an infinitive
aimer (to like, love)
➞ J’aime danser. I like to dance.
aller (to go)
➞ Je vais acheter du pain. I’m going to buy bread.
devoir (must, have to)
➞ Je dois partir tôt. I must leave early.
espérer (to hope)
➞ J’espère partir demain. I hope to leave tomorrow.
faire (to make, do)
➞ Je fais réparer la voiture. I have the car repaired.
laisser (to let, allow)
➞ Je laisse entrer le chien. I let the dog come in.
oser (to dare)
➞ Je n’ose pas parler. I don’t dare to speak.
pouvoir (to be able to)
➞ Je peux venir. I can come.
savoir (to know how to)
➞ Je sais chanter cette chanson. I know how to sing this song.
vouloir (to want)
➞ Je veux partir maintenant. I want to leave now.
📋 Complete list of French verbs followed directly by an infinitive
aimer — to like, love
aller — to go
avouer — to admit
compter — to intend
désirer — to wish
détester — to hate
devoir — must, have to
écouter — to listen to
espérer — to hope
faire — to make, do
falloir — to be necessary
laisser — to let, allow
oser — to dare
paraître — to seem
penser — to intend
pouvoir — to be able to
préférer — to prefer
prétendre — to claim
savoir — to know
sembler — to seem
sentir — to feel
souhaiter — to wish
venir — to come
vouloir — to want
👥 Verbs of perception and causation
Some verbs are commonly followed directly by an infinitive when describing actions involving another person.
faire + infinitive — to make someone do something
laisser + infinitive — to let someone do something
voir + infinitive — to see someone do something
entendre + infinitive — to hear someone do something
➞ Je vois les enfants jouer. I see the children playing.
➞ J’entends quelqu’un chanter. I hear someone singing.
💡 Important pattern to remember
These verbs are followed directly by the infinitive without à or de:
➞ Je peux venir. I can come.
➞ Je veux apprendre. I want to learn.
✏️ More examples
➞ Nous aimons voyager en France. We like traveling in France.
➞ Je préfère commander la pizza. I prefer to order pizza.
➞ Nous espérons partir demain. We hope to leave tomorrow.
➞ Je n’ose pas parler. I don’t dare to speak.
➞ Je sais chanter cette chanson. I know how to sing this song.
📌 Verbs of movement + infinitive
Verbs of movement are also followed by an infinitive without a preposition:
➞ Je viens te chercher à l’aéroport. I come to pick you up at the airport.
➞ Je monte prendre les boîtes. I go up to get the boxes.
➞ Je descends démarrer la voiture. I go down to start the car.
➞ Je sors chercher les poubelles. I go out to get the trash.
🔗 Related lessons
- French verbs followed by à
- French verbs followed by de
- French preposition à
- French preposition de
- French prepositions hub
