Using the French Passive Infinitive

Using the French Passive Infinitive Even though the French infinitive translates as to verb, the French infinitive sometimes needs to be preceded by a preposition. This phenomenon can be divided into two categories: verbs that must be followed by a preposition (see lesson) and the passive infinitive, which you will learn about in this lesson.The passive infinitive occurs when a sentence is written in such a way that the infinitive has a passive, rather than active, meaning. This construction requires the preposition . Compare these two sentences:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Je veux dire quelque chose.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jai quelque chose dire.The first sentence, I want to say something, is active - this want is an active state of mind. The second sentence, I have something to say, is passive: the speaker is using this construction to emphasize the something to say, rather than the action of actually saying it. It might help to literally translate it as I have something to be said.The passive infinitive occurs most commonly with indefinite wo rds, including negative indefinites. This is not a definitive list, but it should give you a good idea about when and how to use the passive infinitive. Indefinite Pronouns   Ã‚  Ã‚  Je cherche quelque chose lire.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Im looking for something to read.  Ã‚  Ã‚  En voici un autre corriger.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Heres another one to correct.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aimes-tu les films  ? En voici plusieurs voir.  Ã‚  Do you like movies? Here are several to watch. Negative Pronouns   Ã‚  Ã‚  Il ny a rien manger.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Theres nothing to eat.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Elle nen a pas une seule partager.  Ã‚  Ã‚  She doesnt have a single one to share. Indefinite Adjectives   Ã‚  Ã‚  Je cherche une autre voiture louer.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Im looking for another car to rent.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Il regarde chaque peinture vendre.  Ã‚  Ã‚  He looks at each painting to be sold.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Il y a maintes choses faire demain.  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many things to do tomorrow. Negative Adjectives   Ã‚  Ã‚  Je nai aucun argent te prà ªter.  Ã‚  Ã‚  I dont have any money to loan you.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Il ny a pas un seul ordinateur utiliser.  Ã‚  Ã‚  There isnt a single computer to use.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Il na nulle sagesse communiquer.  Ã‚  Ã‚  He has no wisdom to impart. Indefinite Article or Number   Ã‚  Ã‚  Il me reste une maison vendre.  Ã‚  Ã‚  I have one house left to sell.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Elle a trouvà © un chien adopter.  Ã‚  Ã‚  She found a dog to adopt.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jai achetà © quatre tartes partager avec le groupe.  Ã‚  Ã‚  I bought four pies to share with the group. Presentatives   Ã‚  Ã‚  Cest difficile dire.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Its hard to say.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Il y a beaucoup de choses faire Paris.  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are a lot of things to do in Paris.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Voici les và ªtements laver.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Here are the clothes to wash.Note that sometimes cest and il est must be followed by de rather than - learn more. Sentence Fragments The passive infinitive may also be used in fragments:  Ã‚  Ã‚   vendre  Ã‚  Ã‚  For sale  Ã‚  Ã‚  Maison louer  Ã‚  Ã‚  House for rent