Verb patterns

parler à to talk to, to speak to A1

Je parle à ma sœur tous les soirs.

I talk to my sister every evening.

With a pronoun it goes before the verb: je lui parle.

téléphoner à to phone, to call A2

Elle téléphone à sa mère le dimanche.

She phones her mother on Sundays.

English phones someone directly. French needs à: je lui téléphone.

répondre à to answer, to reply to A2

Réponds à ce message avant ce soir.

Answer this message before tonight.

English answer is direct. Never répondre une question.

penser à to think about, to think of A2

Je pense souvent à mon enfance.

I often think about my childhood.

For an opinion use penser de. With a person the pronoun follows: je pense à lui, not je lui pense.

jouer à to play (a game or sport) A2

Les enfants jouent au foot dans la cour.

The children are playing football in the yard.

English play is direct. Instruments take de: jouer du piano.

ressembler à to look like, to resemble B1

Ton fils ressemble beaucoup à ton père.

Your son looks a lot like your father.

English resemble is direct. Je lui ressemble.

plaire à to please, to be liked by B1

Ce film plaît beaucoup aux adolescents.

Teenagers really like this film.

Flipped compared with like: ça me plaît means I like it.

manquer à to be missed by B1

Tu me manques beaucoup.

I miss you a lot.

Reversed from English: the person missed is the subject. Je te manque means you miss me.

s'intéresser à to be interested in B1

Elle s'intéresse à l'histoire de l'art.

She's interested in art history.

English in becomes à, never dans.

assister à to attend, to witness B1

J'ai assisté à une conférence passionnante.

I attended a fascinating lecture.

False friend: to assist someone is aider.

participer à to take part in B1

Nos voisins ont participé à la fête du quartier.

Our neighbours took part in the street party.

English in becomes à, never dans.

obéir à to obey B1

Ce chien n'obéit pas à ses maîtres.

This dog doesn't obey its owners.

English is direct. Il lui obéit.

réfléchir à to think over, to think about B1

Je vais réfléchir à ta proposition.

I'll think over your proposal.

Use à for something you must decide. Réfléchir sur is for a general theme.

faire attention à to pay attention to, to watch out for B1

Fais attention à la marche en sortant.

Mind the step on your way out.

Faire, not payer, and à.

faire confiance à to trust B1

Je fais confiance à mon médecin.

I trust my doctor.

English trust is direct. Je lui fais confiance.

s'habituer à to get used to B1

Je me suis vite habitué à la vie parisienne.

I quickly got used to Parisian life.

pardonner à to forgive B1

Elle n'a jamais pardonné à son frère.

She never forgave her brother.

English is direct. The person takes à: je lui pardonne.

croire à to believe in (an idea, a thing) B1

Mon fils croit encore au père Noël.

My son still believes in Father Christmas.

Croire en is for God or trust in a person. Croire without a preposition means to believe what someone says.

tenir à to be attached to, to care about B1

Je tiens beaucoup à cette vieille montre.

I'm very attached to this old watch.

Unrelated to holding: tenir without à means to hold.

s'inscrire à to sign up for, to enrol in B1

Je me suis inscrit à un cours de yoga.

I signed up for a yoga class.

English for becomes à, never pour.

convenir à to suit B2

Cette date me convient parfaitement.

That date suits me perfectly.

English suit is direct.

nuire à to harm, to damage B2

Le tabac nuit gravement à la santé.

Smoking seriously harms your health.

English harm is direct. The past participle is nui and never agrees.

renoncer à to give up, to renounce B2

Il a renoncé à son projet de voyage.

He gave up his travel plan.

English up has no French equivalent: à does the work.

succéder à to succeed, to follow in a post B2

Elle succédera au directeur en janvier.

She will succeed the director in January.

Only for following someone in a post. To succeed at something is réussir.

survivre à to survive B2

Seuls deux passagers ont survécu à l'accident.

Only two passengers survived the accident.

English survive is direct.

résister à to resist B2

Je n'ai pas résisté à ce gâteau.

I couldn't resist that cake.

English resist is direct.

s'opposer à to oppose B2

Les habitants s'opposent à ce projet.

Residents oppose this project.

English oppose is direct.

veiller à to see to, to make sure of B2

Veillez à la sécurité des enfants.

See to the children's safety.

Veiller sur means to watch over.

aboutir à to lead to, to result in B2

Les négociations ont abouti à un accord.

The talks resulted in an agreement.

English in becomes à.

subvenir à to provide for C1

Il subvient aux besoins de toute sa famille.

He provides for his whole family.

Almost always with besoins.

se heurter à to come up against C1

Le projet se heurte à de fortes résistances.

The project is coming up against strong resistance.

English against becomes à, never contre, in the figurative sense.

donner quelque chose à quelqu'un to give someone something A2

J'ai donné mon vélo à mon neveu.

I gave my nephew my bike.

English can drop to. French never can: je lui ai donné mon vélo.

dire quelque chose à quelqu'un to tell someone something A2

Elle a dit la vérité à ses parents.

She told her parents the truth.

English tell is direct on the person. French marks the person with à.

demander quelque chose à quelqu'un to ask someone for something A2

J'ai demandé l'addition au serveur.

I asked the waiter for the bill.

English for disappears and the person gets à.

emprunter quelque chose à quelqu'un to borrow something from someone B1

Je dois emprunter de l'argent à ma sœur.

I have to borrow money from my sister.

English from becomes à, never de. Je lui emprunte.

acheter quelque chose à quelqu'un to buy something from or for someone B1

J'ai acheté ce vélo à un voisin.

I bought this bike from a neighbour.

À covers both from and for. Context decides.

voler quelque chose à quelqu'un to steal something from someone B1

On a volé son portefeuille à Paul.

Someone stole Paul's wallet.

English from becomes à.

prendre quelque chose à quelqu'un to take something from someone B1

Il a pris le ballon à sa petite sœur.

He took the ball from his little sister.

English from becomes à for people. Places take dans or sur.

cacher quelque chose à quelqu'un to hide something from someone B1

Elle cache la vérité à son mari.

She's hiding the truth from her husband.

English from becomes à, never de.

apprendre quelque chose à quelqu'un to teach someone something B1

Elle apprend le piano à sa fille.

She's teaching her daughter the piano.

Same verb as to learn. À marks the pupil.

expliquer quelque chose à quelqu'un to explain something to someone B1

Le professeur explique la règle aux élèves.

The teacher explains the rule to the students.

Never expliquer quelqu'un: the person always takes à.

rappeler quelque chose à quelqu'un to remind someone of something B1

Cette chanson me rappelle mon enfance.

This song reminds me of my childhood.

English of disappears and the person takes à. Never rappeler de.

reprocher quelque chose à quelqu'un to criticise someone for something B1

On reproche au ministre son silence.

The minister is being criticised for his silence.

Opposite of English: the person takes à and the fault is direct.

avoir besoin de to need A2

J'ai besoin de ton aide.

I need your help.

English need is direct. No article for an unspecified amount: j'ai besoin d'argent.

avoir envie de to feel like, to want A2

J'ai envie d'une glace.

I feel like an ice cream.

Softer than vouloir, and it needs de.

avoir peur de to be afraid of A2

Mon chien a peur de l'orage.

My dog is afraid of thunderstorms.

Avoir, not être.

sortir de to leave, to come out of A2

Elle sort du bureau à dix-huit heures.

She leaves the office at six.

Leaving a place is either sortir de or quitter, which is direct.

changer de to change A2

J'ai changé de train à Lyon.

I changed trains in Lyon.

For swapping one thing for another: de, no article, singular. English uses a plural.

se souvenir de to remember B1

Je me souviens très bien de ce voyage.

I remember that trip very well.

English is direct. Se rappeler takes no de: se rappeler ce voyage.

s'occuper de to take care of, to deal with B1

Qui s'occupe des enfants ce soir ?

Who's looking after the children tonight?

dépendre de to depend on B1

Tout dépend de la météo.

Everything depends on the weather.

English on becomes de, never sur.

se servir de to use B1

Je me sers de ce couteau pour le pain.

I use this knife for bread.

English use is direct. Utiliser has no de.

se moquer de to make fun of, not to care about B1

Les élèves se moquent de son accent.

The students make fun of his accent.

Je m'en moque means I don't care.

profiter de to make the most of, to take advantage of B1

Profitez du beau temps pour sortir.

Make the most of the good weather and get out.

Positive with time and chances. Negative with a person: il profite d'elle.

douter de to doubt B1

Je doute de sa sincérité.

I doubt his sincerity.

English doubt is direct. Douter que takes the subjunctive.

discuter de to discuss B1

Nous avons discuté de ton avenir.

We discussed your future.

English discuss is direct. Discuter alone means to chat.

se rendre compte de to realise B1

Il ne se rend pas compte de la difficulté.

He doesn't realise how difficult it is.

Réaliser in this sense is a criticised anglicism. It means to carry out.

s'apercevoir de to notice B1

Je me suis aperçu de mon erreur trop tard.

I noticed my mistake too late.

English notice is direct.

se plaindre de to complain about B1

Les voisins se plaignent du bruit.

The neighbours complain about the noise.

English about becomes de, never sur.

se passer de to do without B1

Je ne peux pas me passer de café le matin.

I can't do without coffee in the morning.

Se passer alone means to happen.

faire partie de to be part of, to belong to B1

Elle fait partie de l'équipe depuis mars.

She's been on the team since March.

Faire, not être, and no article before partie.

se tromper de to get the wrong B1

Je me suis trompé de numéro.

I got the wrong number.

No adjective for wrong: de + a singular noun, with no article.

jouir de to enjoy (an advantage) B2

Cette région jouit d'un climat très doux.

This region enjoys a very mild climate.

Formal. For rights and advantages, not for pleasure in a film or meal.

disposer de to have available B2

Nous disposons de deux heures pour finir.

We have two hours to finish.

False friend: to dispose of is se débarrasser de.

souffrir de to suffer from B2

Il souffre de maux de tête depuis l'été.

He's had headaches since the summer.

English from becomes de.

s'agir de to be about, to be a matter of B2

Dans ce roman, il s'agit d'une famille ruinée.

This novel is about a ruined family.

Only with il as subject. Never ce roman s'agit de.

s'inspirer de to be inspired by, to draw on B2

Ce film s'inspire d'une histoire vraie.

This film is based on a true story.

English by becomes de, and the verb is active.

relever de to fall within, to be a matter for C1

Cette question relève de la justice.

This matter is one for the courts.

Formal. Relever without de means to raise or to note.

faire preuve de to show, to display C1

Elle a fait preuve d'un grand courage.

She showed great courage.

No article before preuve. English show is direct.

compter sur to count on, to rely on B1

Je compte sur toi pour demain.

I'm counting on you for tomorrow.

insister sur to stress, to emphasise B1

Le médecin a insisté sur l'importance du sommeil.

The doctor stressed the importance of sleep.

English stress and emphasise are direct.

donner sur to look onto, to open onto B1

Ma chambre donne sur le jardin.

My room looks onto the garden.

Unrelated to giving.

se renseigner sur to find out about B1

Je me suis renseigné sur les horaires.

I found out about the times.

English about becomes sur.

s'appuyer sur to lean on, to base oneself on B2

L'auteur s'appuie sur des exemples précis.

The author draws on specific examples.

Very useful in essays.

se pencher sur to look into, to examine B2

Le ministre va se pencher sur ce dossier.

The minister is going to look into this matter.

English into becomes sur.

influer sur to influence B2

Le climat influe sur nos habitudes.

The climate influences our habits.

English influence is direct, and so is influencer.

empiéter sur to encroach on C1

Le travail empiète de plus en plus sur sa vie privée.

Work is encroaching more and more on his private life.

entrer dans to enter, to go into A2

Elle entre dans la salle sans frapper.

She enters the room without knocking.

English enter is direct. Never entrer la salle.

monter dans to get on, to get into A2

Monte vite dans le bus.

Quick, get on the bus.

English on becomes dans for vehicles you sit inside.

boire dans to drink from B1

Il boit directement dans la bouteille.

He drinks straight from the bottle.

French sees the inside of the container: from becomes dans.

prendre dans to take from, to take out of B1

Il a pris un billet dans son portefeuille.

He took a note out of his wallet.

French sees where it was: from becomes dans, never de.

croire en to believe in (God, a person) B1

Ses parents ont toujours cru en elle.

Her parents have always believed in her.

Croire à is for ideas and things.

avoir confiance en to trust, to have confidence in B1

J'ai confiance en toi.

I trust you.

En, not dans, before a person or pronoun.

se marier avec to marry, to get married to B1

Elle s'est mariée avec un Québécois.

She married a Quebecer.

English marry is direct. Épouser is the direct alternative.

se fâcher avec to fall out with B1

Il s'est fâché avec son meilleur ami.

He fell out with his best friend.

Se fâcher contre means to get angry with someone.

s'inquiéter pour to worry about (someone) B1

Je m'inquiète pour ma mère.

I'm worried about my mother.

English about becomes pour for people. Things usually take de.

s'entendre avec to get on with B1

Je m'entends très bien avec mes collègues.

I get on very well with my colleagues.

remplacer par to replace with B1

On a remplacé la moquette par du parquet.

We replaced the carpet with wooden flooring.

English with becomes par, never avec.

être d'accord avec to agree with B1

Je suis d'accord avec toi sur ce point.

I agree with you on this point.

Être, not avoir, and no single verb like English agree.

se traduire par to result in B2

Cette crise se traduit par une hausse du chômage.

This crisis is resulting in higher unemployment.

Unrelated to translating in this use.

décider de + inf to decide to A2

Nous avons décidé de partir plus tôt.

We decided to leave earlier.

English to is de here, never à.

essayer de + inf to try to A2

J'essaie de dormir un peu.

I'm trying to get some sleep.

English to is de, never à.

arrêter de + inf to stop doing A2

Il a arrêté de fumer en mars.

He stopped smoking in March.

English -ing becomes an infinitive after de.

oublier de + inf to forget to A2

N'oublie pas d'appeler ta grand-mère.

Don't forget to call your grandmother.

finir de + inf to finish doing A2

J'ai fini de manger.

I've finished eating.

English -ing becomes an infinitive. Finir par means to end up doing.

accepter de + inf to agree to A2

Elle a accepté de nous aider.

She agreed to help us.

English to becomes de.

refuser de + inf to refuse to A2

Il refuse de répondre aux journalistes.

He refuses to answer the journalists.

éviter de + inf to avoid doing B1

Évite de parler trop vite.

Avoid speaking too fast.

English -ing becomes an infinitive after de.

risquer de + inf to be likely to, to risk B1

Il risque de pleuvoir cet après-midi.

It's likely to rain this afternoon.

Often simply means an unwelcome thing may happen, with no idea of danger.

regretter de + inf to regret, to be sorry to B1

Je regrette de ne pas être venu.

I'm sorry I didn't come.

mériter de + inf to deserve to B1

Ce film mérite d'être vu.

This film deserves to be seen.

envisager de + inf to consider doing, to plan to B1

J'envisage de changer de métier.

I'm thinking of changing jobs.

English -ing becomes an infinitive.

cesser de + inf to stop, to cease B1

Il n'a pas cessé de pleuvoir.

It hasn't stopped raining.

Slightly more formal than arrêter de.

se dépêcher de + inf to hurry to B1

Dépêche-toi de finir ton petit déjeuner.

Hurry up and finish your breakfast.

English hurry and do becomes de + infinitive.

s'empêcher de + inf to stop oneself from B1

Je n'ai pas pu m'empêcher de rire.

I couldn't help laughing.

Usually negative, like English couldn't help.

proposer de + inf to suggest doing, to offer to B1

Je propose de reporter la réunion.

I suggest postponing the meeting.

English suggest + -ing becomes de + infinitive.

rêver de + inf to dream of doing B1

Elle rêve de faire le tour du monde.

She dreams of travelling round the world.

avoir l'intention de + inf to intend to B1

J'ai l'intention de m'inscrire à ce cours.

I intend to sign up for this course.

avoir le droit de + inf to be allowed to, to have the right to B1

Ici, on n'a pas le droit de fumer.

You aren't allowed to smoke here.

Everyday way to say be allowed.

avoir raison de + inf to be right to B1

Tu as eu raison de refuser.

You were right to refuse.

Avoir, not être.

être en train de + inf to be in the middle of doing B1

Je suis en train de préparer le dîner.

I'm making dinner right now.

Only for stressing that it's happening now. Otherwise the plain present does the job.

être sur le point de + inf to be about to B1

Le train est sur le point de partir.

The train is about to leave.

faire semblant de + inf to pretend to B1

Elle fait semblant de dormir.

She's pretending to be asleep.

False friend: prétendre means to claim.

s'excuser de + inf to apologise for doing B1

Je m'excuse d'être en retard.

I apologise for being late.

English -ing becomes an infinitive. Use a past infinitive for what's already done.

se souvenir de + inf to remember doing B1

Je me souviens d'avoir fermé la porte à clé.

I remember locking the door.

For the past, use the past infinitive, not a present.

s'efforcer de + inf to strive to B2

Nous nous efforçons de répondre à tous les clients.

We strive to reply to all our customers.

Formal.

menacer de + inf to threaten to B2

Les salariés menacent de faire grève.

The employees are threatening to strike.

se permettre de + inf to take the liberty of doing B2

Je me permets de vous rappeler cette échéance.

I'm taking the liberty of reminding you of this deadline.

Standard in formal letters.

s'abstenir de + inf to refrain from doing C1

Veuillez vous abstenir de fumer dans le hall.

Please refrain from smoking in the lobby.

Formal.

dire à quelqu'un de + inf to tell someone to A2

Dis à Paul de venir à huit heures.

Tell Paul to come at eight.

The person takes à, and to becomes de. Never dire Paul de venir.

demander à quelqu'un de + inf to ask someone to A2

Je lui ai demandé de fermer la fenêtre.

I asked him to close the window.

The person takes à, and to becomes de.

conseiller à quelqu'un de + inf to advise someone to B1

Le médecin lui a conseillé de marcher davantage.

The doctor advised him to walk more.

English advise is direct on the person. French uses à.

permettre à quelqu'un de + inf to allow someone to B1

Ce stage m'a permis de rencontrer des experts.

This internship allowed me to meet experts.

English allow is direct on the person. French uses à: je lui permets de partir.

interdire à quelqu'un de + inf to forbid someone to B1

Ses parents lui interdisent de sortir le soir.

His parents forbid him to go out at night.

The person takes à, unlike English forbid. Without a person: il est interdit de fumer.

proposer à quelqu'un de + inf to suggest that someone do B1

Elle m'a proposé de partager le taxi.

She suggested we share the taxi.

English suggest uses that. French does not.

ordonner à quelqu'un de + inf to order someone to B2

L'officier a ordonné aux soldats de reculer.

The officer ordered the soldiers to fall back.

The person takes à, unlike English order.

suggérer à quelqu'un de + inf to suggest that someone should B2

Je vous suggère de relire ce paragraphe.

I suggest you reread this paragraph.

English that clause becomes à + person + de.

reprocher à quelqu'un de + inf to criticise someone for doing B2

On lui reproche d'avoir menti.

He's being criticised for lying.

Past infinitive for past actions. English for + -ing becomes de + infinitive.

empêcher quelqu'un de + inf to stop someone from doing B1

Le bruit m'empêche de dormir.

The noise stops me from sleeping.

persuader quelqu'un de + inf to persuade someone to B1

Il m'a persuadé de rester.

He persuaded me to stay.

English to becomes de.

convaincre quelqu'un de + inf to convince someone to B1

Elle a convaincu son frère de déménager.

She convinced her brother to move.

English to becomes de.

remercier quelqu'un de + inf to thank someone for doing B1

Je vous remercie d'avoir répondu si vite.

Thank you for replying so quickly.

Past infinitive for past actions. For a noun, pour is also common.

féliciter quelqu'un de + inf to congratulate someone on doing B1

Je te félicite d'avoir réussi ton examen.

Congratulations on passing your exam.

English on becomes de.

accuser quelqu'un de + inf to accuse someone of doing B2

On l'accuse d'avoir falsifié ces documents.

He's accused of forging these documents.

English -ing becomes an infinitive.

prier quelqu'un de + inf to ask someone to, to request B2

Je vous prie de bien vouloir patienter.

Please be so kind as to wait.

Polite and formal, and has nothing to do with religion here.

commencer à + inf to start to, to begin doing A2

Il commence à pleuvoir.

It's starting to rain.

Commencer de is also correct but rarer.

réussir à + inf to manage to, to succeed in A2

J'ai enfin réussi à ouvrir la porte.

I finally managed to open the door.

English succeed in + -ing becomes à + infinitive. For passing an exam: réussir un examen.

apprendre à + inf to learn to A2

Ma fille apprend à nager.

My daughter is learning to swim.

Never apprendre de nager.

continuer à + inf to carry on doing A2

Ils continuent à travailler malgré la grève.

They carry on working despite the strike.

Continuer de is also correct.

hésiter à + inf to hesitate to B1

N'hésitez pas à me contacter.

Don't hesitate to contact me.

chercher à + inf to try to, to seek to B1

Je cherche à comprendre ce qui s'est passé.

I'm trying to understand what happened.

Chercher alone means to look for.

arriver à + inf to manage to B1

Je n'arrive pas à dormir.

I can't get to sleep.

The usual way to say can't when something won't work.

aider quelqu'un à + inf to help someone to B1

Peux-tu m'aider à porter ces valises ?

Can you help me carry these cases?

English can drop to. French keeps à.

encourager quelqu'un à + inf to encourage someone to B1

Mes parents m'ont encouragé à partir à l'étranger.

My parents encouraged me to go abroad.

obliger quelqu'un à + inf to force someone to B1

Rien ne t'oblige à accepter.

Nothing forces you to accept.

In the passive it switches to de: je suis obligé de partir.

se mettre à + inf to start doing B1

Tout à coup, elle s'est mise à pleurer.

Suddenly she started crying.

Common for a sudden start.

tenir à + inf to insist on doing, to be keen to B1

Je tiens à vous remercier personnellement.

I really want to thank you personally.

Stronger than vouloir.

passer du temps à + inf to spend time doing B1

Je passe du temps à lire le week-end.

I spend time reading at weekends.

English -ing becomes à + infinitive.

s'attendre à + inf to expect to B1

Je ne m'attendais pas à te voir ici.

I wasn't expecting to see you here.

English expect is direct, but this verb needs se and à.

avoir du mal à + inf to have trouble doing B1

J'ai du mal à me lever le matin.

I have trouble getting up in the morning.

English -ing becomes à + infinitive.

servir à + inf to be used for doing B1

Ce bouton sert à éteindre la machine.

This button is used to turn off the machine.

Hence à quoi ça sert ? What's it for?

parvenir à + inf to manage to B2

Elle est parvenue à convaincre le jury.

She managed to convince the panel.

More formal than arriver à. Takes être.

s'apprêter à + inf to be about to, to get ready to B2

Je m'apprêtais à sortir quand il a appelé.

I was about to go out when he called.

consister à + inf to consist of doing B2

Mon travail consiste à traduire des contrats.

My job consists of translating contracts.

With an infinitive it's à. With a noun it's en.

se décider à + inf to make up one's mind to B2

Il s'est enfin décidé à consulter un médecin.

He finally made up his mind to see a doctor.

Stresses a slow decision. Décider de is neutral.

s'engager à + inf to undertake to, to commit to B2

L'entreprise s'engage à réduire ses émissions.

The company undertakes to cut its emissions.

se résoudre à + inf to bring oneself to B2

Je ne peux pas me résoudre à vendre cette maison.

I can't bring myself to sell this house.

tarder à + inf to be slow to B2

La réponse tarde à arriver.

The reply is taking a long time to come.

avoir intérêt à + inf to be well advised to B2

Tu as intérêt à arriver à l'heure.

You'd better get here on time.

Spoken, it can sound like a warning.

autoriser quelqu'un à + inf to authorise someone to B2

Le directeur m'a autorisé à partir plus tôt.

The manager allowed me to leave earlier.

Opposite pattern to permettre à quelqu'un de: the person is direct and à introduces the infinitive.

vouloir + inf to want to A1

Je veux apprendre le français.

I want to learn French.

No word for to.

pouvoir + inf can, to be able to A1

Tu peux m'aider ?

Can you help me?

aimer + inf to like doing, to love doing A1

J'aime lire le soir.

I like reading in the evening.

English -ing becomes a plain infinitive.

aller + inf to be going to A1

Nous allons visiter le château demain.

We're going to visit the château tomorrow.

No word for to.

devoir + inf must, to have to A2

Je dois partir à huit heures.

I have to leave at eight.

No word for to.

savoir + inf to know how to, can A2

Elle sait conduire.

She can drive.

No word for how: never sait comment conduire for a skill.

préférer + inf to prefer to A2

Je préfère rester à la maison.

I prefer to stay at home.

espérer + inf to hope to B1

J'espère réussir mon examen.

I hope to pass my exam.

No de and no à: the infinitive follows directly.

compter + inf to intend to, to plan to B1

Je compte partir en mai.

I plan to leave in May.

Nothing to do with counting here.

oser + inf to dare to B1

Il n'ose pas lui parler.

He doesn't dare speak to her.

sembler + inf to seem to B1

Elle semble comprendre le problème.

She seems to understand the problem.

faire + inf to have something done, to make someone do B1

J'ai fait réparer ma voiture.

I had my car repaired.

English had it + participle becomes faire + infinitive.

laisser + inf to let B1

Laisse-moi finir ma phrase.

Let me finish my sentence.

voir + inf to see someone doing B1

Je l'ai vu sortir de la banque.

I saw him come out of the bank.

English -ing or a bare verb becomes an infinitive.

penser + inf to intend to, to think of doing B1

Je pense partir vendredi.

I'm thinking of leaving on Friday.

No de or à.

faillir + inf to nearly do B2

J'ai failli rater mon train.

I nearly missed my train.

Always a verb in French, where English uses an adverb.

prétendre + inf to claim to B2

Il prétend tout savoir sur ce sujet.

He claims to know everything about this.

False friend: to pretend is faire semblant de.

regarder to look at A1

Regarde ce tableau.

Look at this painting.

No word for at. Never regarder à ce tableau.

écouter to listen to A1

J'écoute la radio le matin.

I listen to the radio in the morning.

No word for to. Je l'écoute, not je lui écoute.

attendre to wait for A2

Attends-moi devant la gare.

Wait for me outside the station.

No word for for. Never attendre pour.

chercher to look for A2

Je cherche mes clés partout.

I'm looking for my keys everywhere.

No word for for. Never chercher pour.

demander to ask for A2

Elle demande un verre d'eau.

She's asking for a glass of water.

No word for for.

payer to pay for A2

C'est moi qui paie le repas.

I'm paying for the meal.

No word for for when it's the thing. Payer pour means paying on behalf of someone.

allumer to turn on, to light A2

Tu peux allumer la lumière ?

Can you turn on the light?

One verb, no on.

éteindre to turn off, to put out A2

N'oublie pas d'éteindre ton téléphone.

Don't forget to turn off your phone.

One verb, no off.

réveiller to wake up (someone) A2

Réveille-moi à sept heures.

Wake me up at seven.

For yourself, it's se réveiller.

rendre to give back, to return A2

Je dois rendre ce livre à la bibliothèque.

I have to return this book to the library.

One verb, no back.

enlever to take off A2

Enlève tes chaussures avant d'entrer.

Take off your shoes before you come in.

One verb, no off.

monter to go up, to take up A2

Il monte l'escalier en courant.

He runs up the stairs.

No up. With a direct object its past tense uses avoir: il a monté l'escalier.

descendre to go down, to take down A2

Elle descend lentement l'escalier.

She comes down the stairs slowly.

No down. With a direct object its past tense uses avoir.

se rappeler to remember B1

Je me rappelle très bien cette journée.

I remember that day very well.

Direct, unlike se souvenir de. Se rappeler de is common in speech, but avoid it in exams.

approuver to approve of B1

Je n'approuve pas sa décision.

I don't approve of her decision.

No word for of.

habiter to live in B1

Ils habitent un petit appartement à Nantes.

They live in a small flat in Nantes.

Direct or with à: habiter Nantes, habiter à Nantes.

soigner to look after, to treat B1

Cette infirmière soigne les blessés.

This nurse looks after the wounded.

No after.

traverser to go across, to cross B1

Nous avons traversé le fleuve à pied.

We walked across the river.

No across, and the way of moving goes after: à pied.

rappeler to call back B1

Je vous rappelle dans dix minutes.

I'll call you back in ten minutes.

No back.

reporter to put off B1

On doit reporter la réunion à lundi.

We have to put off the meeting until Monday.

One verb. Until becomes à here.

supporter to put up with, to stand B1

Je ne supporte plus ce bruit.

I can't stand this noise any more.

False friend: to support someone is soutenir.

rejoindre to meet up with, to join B1

Je te rejoins au café à midi.

I'll meet you at the café at noon.

No with.

quitter to leave, to walk out on B1

Elle a quitté Paris pour Montréal.

She left Paris for Montreal.

Needs a direct object: je quitte Paris, but je pars alone.

sentir to smell of B1

Cette pièce sent le tabac.

This room smells of smoke.

No of: le tabac follows directly.

mépriser to look down on B2

Il méprise ceux qui ne pensent pas comme lui.

He looks down on those who don't think as he does.

No down on.

fixer to stare at B2

Il me fixait sans rien dire.

He was staring at me without saying anything.

No at.

réclamer to ask for, to demand B2

Les salariés réclament une augmentation.

The employees are demanding a pay rise.

No for. False friend: to reclaim is récupérer.

fuir to run away from, to flee B2

Des milliers de familles fuient la guerre.

Thousands of families are fleeing the war.

No from.

parcourir to travel across, to skim through B2

J'ai parcouru le rapport ce matin.

I skimmed through the report this morning.

No through.

pallier to make up for, to offset C1

Le gouvernement cherche à pallier le manque de médecins.

The government is trying to make up for the shortage of doctors.

Careful French: pallier le manque, not pallier au manque.

vouloir que + subj to want someone to B1

Je veux que tu viennes avec moi.

I want you to come with me.

English object + to is impossible: never je veux toi venir.

il faut que + subj one must, someone has to B1

Il faut que tu fasses tes devoirs.

You have to do your homework.

Impersonal: tu goes in the clause.

souhaiter que + subj to wish that B1

Je souhaite que tout se passe bien.

I hope all goes well.

Takes the subjunctive, unlike espérer que.

attendre que + subj to wait for someone to B1

J'attends que la pluie s'arrête.

I'm waiting for the rain to stop.

English for + to becomes que + subjunctive.

avoir peur que + subj to be afraid that B1

J'ai peur qu'il soit trop tard.

I'm afraid it's too late.

Formal French adds ne with no negative meaning: qu'il ne soit.

être content que + subj to be glad that B1

Je suis content que tu sois là.

I'm glad you're here.

Same for all emotion adjectives: triste, heureux, déçu.

regretter que + subj to be sorry that B1

Je regrette que tu partes si tôt.

I'm sorry you're leaving so early.

douter que + subj to doubt that B1

Je doute qu'il puisse venir.

I doubt he can come.

Se douter que means to suspect and takes the indicative.

il est possible que + subj it's possible that B1

Il est possible qu'elle soit déjà partie.

She may have already left.

Il est probable que takes the indicative.

il est important que + subj it's important that B1

Il est important que chacun puisse s'exprimer.

It's important that everyone can speak.

il vaut mieux que + subj it's better that B1

Il vaut mieux que tu restes ici.

You'd better stay here.

ne pas penser que + subj not to think that B1

Je ne pense pas qu'il ait raison.

I don't think he's right.

Negation triggers the subjunctive. Je pense qu'il a raison takes the indicative.

ne pas croire que + subj not to believe that B1

Je ne crois pas que ce soit nécessaire.

I don't think that's necessary.

Negation triggers the subjunctive. Je crois que takes the indicative.

s'attendre à ce que + subj to expect that B2

Je m'attends à ce qu'il proteste.

I expect him to protest.

Needs à ce que. English object + to is impossible.

tenir à ce que + subj to insist that B2

Je tiens à ce que tout soit prêt à midi.

I insist that everything be ready by noon.

Needs à ce que.

veiller à ce que + subj to make sure that B2

Veillez à ce que la porte reste fermée.

Make sure the door stays closed.

Needs à ce que, never just que.

faire en sorte que + subj to ensure that B2

Faites en sorte que tout le monde soit informé.

Make sure everyone is informed.

craindre que + subj to fear that B2

Je crains qu'il ne soit déjà trop tard.

I fear it may already be too late.

Ne here is not negative. It's optional, and usual in formal writing.

exiger que + subj to demand that B2

Le client exige que nous le remboursions.

The customer demands that we refund him.

s'opposer à ce que + subj to be against someone doing B2

Je m'oppose à ce qu'il soit nommé.

I'm against him being appointed.

Needs à ce que.

il est temps que + subj it's time that B2

Il est temps que tu prennes une décision.

It's time you made a decision.

English uses a past form. French uses a present subjunctive.

il est dommage que + subj it's a pity that B2

Il est dommage que tu ne puisses pas venir.

It's a pity you can't come.

Informal: c'est dommage que.

il semble que + subj it seems that B2

Il semble que la situation se soit améliorée.

It seems the situation has improved.

With a pronoun it flips to the indicative: il me semble que.

il se peut que + subj it may be that B2

Il se peut que je sois en retard.

I may be late.

il est peu probable que + subj it's unlikely that B2

Il est peu probable qu'il accepte.

He's unlikely to accept.

Il est probable que takes the indicative. Peu changes the mood.

nier que + subj to deny that B2

Il nie que son entreprise soit responsable.

He denies that his company is responsible.

déplorer que + subj to deplore the fact that C1

L'auteur déplore que ce débat soit si pauvre.

The author deplores how thin this debate is.

Formal.

penser que to think that A2

Je pense que tu as raison.

I think you're right.

Never subjunctive when positive. Negative or inverted takes the subjunctive.

croire que to believe that A2

Je crois qu'il est déjà parti.

I think he's already left.

Never subjunctive when positive.

dire que to say that A2

Il dit qu'il arrivera demain.

He says he'll arrive tomorrow.

Que can't be dropped, unlike English that.

espérer que to hope that B1

J'espère que tu vas mieux.

I hope you're feeling better.

Indicative, unlike souhaiter que. The future is common: j'espère qu'il viendra.

être sûr que to be sure that B1

Je suis sûr qu'elle va réussir.

I'm sure she'll succeed.

Negative takes the subjunctive: je ne suis pas sûr qu'elle réussisse.

il est probable que it's probable that B1

Il est probable qu'il pleuvra demain.

It'll probably rain tomorrow.

Il est possible que takes the subjunctive.

il paraît que apparently B1

Il paraît que ce restaurant est excellent.

Apparently this restaurant is excellent.

Only reports what others say. Il semble que usually takes the subjunctive.

il me semble que it seems to me that B1

Il me semble que tu as maigri.

It seems to me you've lost weight.

With a pronoun: indicative. Il semble que: subjunctive.

se douter que to suspect that B2

Je me doutais qu'il était au courant.

I suspected he knew.

Opposite of douter que, which takes the subjunctive.

constater que to note that B2

On constate que les prix ont augmenté.

We can see that prices have risen.

Very useful for describing documents.

content de happy with, pleased with A2

Je suis très content de mon nouveau vélo.

I'm very happy with my new bike.

English with becomes de.

fier de proud of A2

Elle est fière de sa fille.

She's proud of her daughter.

sûr de sure of A2

Es-tu sûr de ta réponse ?

Are you sure of your answer?

plein de full of A2

Son bureau est plein de livres.

Her office is full of books.

Informally, plein de means lots of.

amoureux de in love with A2

Il est amoureux de sa voisine.

He's in love with his neighbour.

English with becomes de, never avec.

capable de + inf capable of doing B1

Elle est capable de réussir seule.

She's capable of succeeding on her own.

English -ing becomes an infinitive.

couvert de covered in B1

La voiture est couverte de boue.

The car is covered in mud.

English in or with becomes de.

responsable de responsible for B1

Qui est responsable de ce projet ?

Who's responsible for this project?

English for becomes de, never pour.

satisfait de satisfied with B1

Nous sommes satisfaits de vos services.

We're satisfied with your services.

English with becomes de.

déçu de + inf disappointed to B1

Je suis déçu de partir si tôt.

I'm disappointed to be leaving so soon.

fatigué de + inf tired of doing B1

Je suis fatigué d'attendre.

I'm tired of waiting.

English -ing becomes an infinitive.

heureux de + inf happy to B1

Je suis heureux de vous rencontrer.

I'm happy to meet you.

Applies only when the subject is the same. Otherwise heureux que + subjunctive.

désolé de + inf sorry to B1

Désolé de vous déranger.

Sorry to bother you.

English to becomes de.

surpris de + inf surprised to B1

J'ai été surpris de le voir ici.

I was surprised to see him here.

English to becomes de.

différent de different from B1

Ce film est très différent du livre.

This film is very different from the book.

Never que or à, unlike English than or to.

obligé de + inf forced to, obliged to B1

Je suis obligé de partir maintenant.

I have to leave now.

Passive form takes de, while the active obliger takes à.

conscient de aware of B2

Je suis conscient de la difficulté.

I'm aware of the difficulty.

Covers awareness of a fact, not just being awake.

libre de + inf free to B2

Vous êtes libre de refuser.

You're free to refuse.

English to becomes de.

âgé de aged B2

Un homme âgé de trente ans a été arrêté.

A man aged thirty has been arrested.

Needs de with the age. Common in the press.

susceptible de + inf likely to B2

Ce projet est susceptible d'intéresser les jeunes.

This project is likely to interest young people.

False friend: English susceptible usually needs sensible à.

prêt à + inf ready to A2

Je suis prêt à partir.

I'm ready to leave.

English to becomes à, never de.

facile à + inf easy to A2

Cette recette est facile à faire.

This recipe is easy to make.

With a subject: à. Impersonal il est facile de + inf takes de.

difficile à + inf hard to A2

Ce texte est difficile à comprendre.

This text is hard to understand.

With a subject: à. Impersonal il est difficile de comprendre ce texte.

lent à + inf slow to B1

Il est lent à réagir.

He's slow to react.

le premier à + inf the first to B1

Elle a été la première à arriver.

She was the first to arrive.

English to becomes à, never de.

le seul à + inf the only one to B1

Il est le seul à connaître la vérité.

He's the only one who knows the truth.

An alternative to le seul qui + subjunctive.

habitué à used to B1

Je suis habitué à me lever tôt.

I'm used to getting up early.

English -ing becomes an infinitive.

nécessaire à necessary for B1

Ce financement est nécessaire à la recherche.

This funding is necessary for research.

English for becomes à.

attentif à attentive to B2

Soyez attentif à ces détails.

Pay attention to these details.

sensible à sensitive to B2

Cette plante est sensible au froid.

This plant is sensitive to cold.

False friend: it means sensitive. English sensible is raisonnable.

favorable à in favour of B2

Je suis favorable à cette réforme.

I'm in favour of this reform.

English of becomes à, never de.

opposé à opposed to B2

Elle est opposée à cette mesure.

She's opposed to this measure.

supérieur à higher than, greater than B2

Le résultat est supérieur à nos attentes.

The result is better than we expected.

English than becomes à, never que.

inférieur à lower than, less than B2

Ce taux est inférieur à la moyenne.

This rate is lower than average.

English than becomes à, never que.

apte à + inf fit to, able to C1

Il n'est pas apte à conduire.

He isn't fit to drive.

Formal.

résolu à + inf determined to C1

Je suis résolu à aller jusqu'au bout.

I'm determined to see it through.

Formal. English to becomes à.

disposé à + inf willing to C1

Nous sommes disposés à négocier.

We're willing to negotiate.

Formal.

bon en good at A2

Elle est très bonne en maths.

She's very good at maths.

English at becomes en, never à.

gentil avec kind to A2

Sois gentil avec ta sœur.

Be kind to your sister.

English to becomes avec.

nul en hopeless at B1

Je suis nul en géographie.

I'm hopeless at geography.

Informal.

intéressé par interested in B1

Je suis intéressé par votre annonce.

I'm interested in your advert.

English in becomes par. S'intéresser takes à.

en colère contre angry with B1

Elle est en colère contre son frère.

She's angry with her brother.

English with becomes contre.

fâché contre angry with B1

Il est fâché contre ses parents.

He's angry with his parents.

English with becomes contre. Fâché avec means no longer on speaking terms.

doué pour talented at, gifted at B1

Elle est douée pour les langues.

She has a gift for languages.

English at becomes pour.

passionné par passionate about B2

Mon fils est passionné par les volcans.

My son is passionate about volcanoes.

English about becomes par.

parler de to talk about A2

Ce livre parle de la guerre.

This book is about the war.

Parler à is talking to someone. Never parler sur.

venir de + inf to have just done A2

Je viens de manger.

I've just eaten.

Present tense for a recent past. Venir + inf means to come and do.

venir + inf to come and do A2

Viens voir ce qui se passe.

Come and see what's happening.

No word for and. Venir de + inf means to have just done.

jouer de to play (an instrument) A2

Il joue de la guitare depuis dix ans.

He's been playing the guitar for ten years.

Games and sports take à.

penser de to think of (opinion) B1

Que penses-tu de ce film ?

What do you think of this film?

Only in questions and opinions. Otherwise penser à.

manquer de to lack, to run short of B1

Cette soupe manque de sel.

This soup lacks salt.

Manquer à means someone misses you. No article after de.

servir de to serve as, to be used as B1

Ce canapé sert de lit.

This sofa serves as a bed.

Servir à + inf means to be used for doing.

finir par + inf to end up doing B1

Il a fini par accepter.

He ended up accepting.

Finir de means to finish doing.

commencer par + inf to start by doing B1

Commence par lire les consignes.

Start by reading the instructions.

Commencer à means to start to.

demander à + inf to ask to B1

Il a demandé à parler au directeur.

He asked to speak to the manager.

Same subject: à. Different person: demander à quelqu'un de + inf.

tenir de to take after B2

Elle tient de sa mère.

She takes after her mother.

Tenir à means to care about.