Practice Makes Perfect

315

The infinitive mood

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The 

infinitif présent

You will come across the infinitif, the infinitive mood, on many occasions. It is 

used more frequently in French than in English. The infinitif can be used as the 

subject of a verb. (Note that the present participle is used in English instead.)

Faire la cuisine est son passe-  

Cooking is his favorite pastime. 

temps favori.

Suivre des cours de cuisine est  

Taking cooking classes is fun. 

amusant.

Voyager par le train est rapide. 

Traveling by train is fast.

Apprendre une langue étrangère   Learning a foreign language is very 

est très utile. 

  useful.

The infinitif is also used for general instructions, prescriptions, public 

notices, and proverbs (where the imperative is often used in English).

Prendre une fois par jour. 

Take once a day.