Infinitive Clauses: pour, sans, au lieu de + infinitif
Infinitive Clauses: pour, sans, au lieu de + infinitif
English typically reaches for a gerund ('-ing') after prepositions like 'without' and 'instead of' — 'without seeing', 'instead of going'. French uses the plain infinitive after these prepositions instead, never a form resembling '-ing', which makes this a systematic trap: the natural English translation pattern actively points you toward the wrong French form.
Grammar Comparison
Grammar Comparison
pour + infinitif = purpose ('in order to')
Je travaille pour gagner de l'argent.
I work (in order) to earn money.
pour + infinitive expresses purpose. Handily, English also typically uses a plain infinitive for purpose ('to earn', not 'for earning') in this exact context, so this particular pattern already matches English instinct well — one of the easier constructions in this lesson.
sans + infinitif = 'without doing' — the classic trap
Il est parti sans dire au revoir.
He left without saying goodbye.
English 'without saying' uses a gerund, but French sans is always followed by the bare infinitive — dire, never a form like disant. This is the single most common gerund-related mistake English speakers make in French: reflexively adding '-ing' logic where French grammar has no equivalent slot for it at all.
au lieu de + infinitif = 'instead of doing' — same trap
Au lieu de regarder la télé, lis un livre.
Instead of watching TV, read a book.
Same pattern as sans: English 'instead of watching' uses a gerund, French au lieu de takes the plain infinitive, regarder, never a participle form. Any time you're translating an English '-ing' that follows a preposition, check first whether the French equivalent actually wants an infinitive instead — it usually does.
General rule: after nearly every French preposition, use the infinitive, not -ant
avant de partir, afin de réussir, au lieu de dormir
before leaving, in order to succeed, instead of sleeping
With the single exception of en (en + participe présent = the gérondif, covered at B2), every French preposition is followed by a plain infinitive, never the participe présent (-ant form). This is a broad, systematic contrast with English, which reaches for '-ing' after most prepositions ('before leaving', 'in order to succeed' being an exception where English also uses 'to', but 'instead of sleeping' reverting to '-ing') — French offers no such variation: it's the infinitive every time except after en.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
| French | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| pour + infinitif | poor | in order to |
| sans + infinitif | sahn | without doing |
| au lieu de + infinitif | oh lyuh duh | instead of doing |
| avant de + infinitif | ah-vahn duh | before doing |
| afin de + infinitif | ah-fan duh | in order to (more formal) |
| après avoir/être + participe passé | ah-preh ah-VWAR / eh-truh | after having done / after being |