Why is "Conjugating the second verb as well as the first (*je veux mange*)" a common mistake in Verb + infinitive constructions?

Why it happens: Beginners feel every verb must 'agree' with the subject, so they conjugate both. How to avoid it: Memorise the rule: first verb conjugated, second verb stays as an infinitive. Say it as a chant — *je veux MANGER*, *je peux PARTIR* — keeping the -er/-ir/-re ending intact. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), accuracy

Why is "Adding a word for English 'to' (*je veux à manger* / *je veux de manger*)" a common mistake in Verb + infinitive constructions?

Why it happens: Learners translate 'to eat' word-for-word and insert à or de for the 'to'. How to avoid it: The English 'to' is already inside the French infinitive. Modal and liking/wanting verbs take NO link: *je veux manger*. Only add à or de when a specific verb demands it (*commencer à*, *essayer de*). Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Papers 3 & 4

Why is "Using the wrong link (*je commence de* instead of *je commence à*)" a common mistake in Verb + infinitive constructions?

Why it happens: There is no logical rule for which verb takes à and which takes de, so learners guess. How to avoid it: Learn the link as part of the verb, like vocabulary: *commencer à*, *apprendre à*, *réussir à*; *essayer de*, *décider de*, *oublier de*. Write them with the preposition attached when you revise. Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)

Why is "Confusing venir de (just done) with aller (going to do)" a common mistake in Verb + infinitive constructions?

Why it happens: Both use a present-tense verb + infinitive, so learners mix up which one means past and which means future. How to avoid it: Picture the timeline: *venir de* looks BACK ('have just'), *aller* looks FORWARD ('going to'). Drill the pair: *je viens de manger* (just ate) vs *je vais manger* (going to eat). Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 2 (Reading), time frames

Why is "Putting the object pronoun before the wrong verb (*je le veux voir*)" a common mistake in Verb + infinitive constructions?

Why it happens: Learners attach the pronoun to the first verb, as feels natural from the English word order. How to avoid it: The pronoun belongs to the infinitive's action, so it goes directly before the infinitive: *je veux le voir* (I want to see it/him), *je vais les acheter* (I'm going to buy them). Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)

Why is "Wrapping ne … pas around the infinitive instead of the conjugated verb" a common mistake in Verb + infinitive constructions?

Why it happens: Learners are unsure which of the two verbs the negative belongs to. How to avoid it: Put *ne … pas* around the FIRST (conjugated) verb, leaving the infinitive outside: *je ne veux pas manger* (I don't want to eat), *nous n'allons pas partir* (we are not going to leave). Source: Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 3 (Speaking) & Paper 4 (Writing)

Cambridge IGCSE French (0520)

Verb + infinitive constructions

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Detailed Study Notes

Detailed notes on Verb Tenses and Moods for Cambridge IGCSE French, covering key concepts, explanations, examples, and exam-focused revision points.

Verb + infinitive constructions in French — Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 (2025-2027)

Learn how French strings two verbs together — je veux manger (I want to eat), j'aime jouer (I like to play) — by conjugating only the first verb and leaving the second as an infinitive. Master the three linking patterns (no word, à, de) that beginners get wrong most often.

At a glance

When two verbs meet in French, you conjugate the first verb only and leave the second verb as an infinitive (the unchanged -er / -ir / -re dictionary form): je veux manger (I want to eat).
An infinitive is the 'to ___' form of the verb you find in the dictionary: manger (to eat), finir (to finish), vendre (to sell). It never changes its ending.
Three linking patterns exist: (1) verb + infinitive with nothing in between (je peux partir — I can leave); (2) verb + à + infinitive (je commence à comprendre — I'm starting to understand); (3) verb + de + infinitive (j'essaie de finir — I'm trying to finish).
The most useful 'no-link' verbs are the modal/helper verbs: vouloir (to want), pouvoir (to be able / can), devoir (to have to / must), plus aller, aimer, adorer, détester, préférer.
aller + infinitive is the everyday way to talk about the near future — the 'going to' future: je vais manger (I am going to eat).
venir de + infinitive means 'to have just done' something: je viens de manger (I have just eaten).
To make a verb-plus-infinitive negative, the ne … pas wraps around the conjugated verb, not the infinitive: je ne veux pas manger (I don't want to eat).
This structure lets a beginner say a huge amount with very few conjugations — you only ever conjugate a handful of common verbs and then add any infinitive you like.

What you’ll learn

Mapped to the Cambridge IGCSE 0520 syllabus (2025-2027).

Recognise an infinitive (-er, -ir, -re dictionary form) and explain why it stays unchanged after a first verb.
Conjugate the first verb correctly while keeping the second verb as an infinitive.
Use the high-frequency modal verbs vouloir, pouvoir and devoir with a following infinitive.
Form the near future with aller + infinitive and the recent past with venir de + infinitive.
Choose the correct link (nothing, à, or de) for the most common verbs in the syllabus.
Place negatives, object pronouns and adverbs correctly in a two-verb sentence.
Apply verb + infinitive constructions accurately in Speaking and Writing, and recognise them in Listening and Reading.

What a verb + infinitive construction is

Conjugate the first verb; leave the second verb in its plain dictionary (infinitive) form.

In English we constantly link two verbs together: I want to eat, I like to play, I must to … no — I must go. French does the same thing, and the rule is wonderfully simple:

Conjugate the FIRST verb to match the subject. Leave the SECOND verb as an infinitive (the unchanged dictionary form).

An infinitive is the form you look up in a dictionary. In English it usually starts with "to" — to eat, to finish, to sell. In French it is a single word with one of three endings:

Group	Infinitive ending	Example	English
1st group	-er	manger	to eat
2nd group	-ir	finir	to finish
3rd group	-re	vendre	to sell

The infinitive never changes — that is the whole point. Once a sentence already has a conjugated verb, every following verb stays in this frozen infinitive form.

French	Word-by-word	Natural English
Je veux manger.	I want to-eat	I want to eat.
Tu aimes jouer.	You like to-play	You like to play.
Il peut partir.	He can to-leave	He can leave.
Nous devons travailler.	We must to-work	We have to work.

Notice that the first verb (veux, aimes, peut, devons) carries all the work — it shows who is doing the action and when. The second verb just names the action and sits there unchanged.

Worked mini-example. Build "We want to watch a film." Step 1: conjugate the first verb vouloir (to want) for nous (we) → nous voulons. Step 2: add the second verb as an infinitive → regarder (to watch). Step 3: finish the sentence. Result: Nous voulons regarder un film. You did not conjugate regarder — it stays as the infinitive.

First verb = conjugated (shows who and when); second verb = infinitive (unchanged).
Infinitives end in -er, -ir or -re (manger, finir, vendre).
The infinitive is exactly the form you find in the dictionary.
Je veux manger = I want to eat — only veux is conjugated.

The helper verbs — vouloir, pouvoir, devoir

Three irregular 'modal' verbs link straight to an infinitive with no word in between.

The three modal verbs in the present tense, each linking straight to an infinitive with no word in between.

Three irregular verbs do most of the heavy lifting in this topic. They are sometimes called modal verbs, and they all link directly to an infinitive — no à, no de, nothing in between.

1. vouloir (to want). Use it for wishes and polite requests.

Je veux partir. (I want to leave.)
Tu veux manger ? (Do you want to eat?)
The polite form je voudrais (I would like) is far more common in real conversation: Je voudrais réserver une table. (I'd like to book a table.)

2. pouvoir (to be able to / can). Use it for ability and permission.

Je peux nager. (I can swim.)
Tu peux m'aider ? (Can you help me?)
The polite form pourriez-vous …? (could you …?) is useful: Pourriez-vous répéter ? (Could you repeat?)

3. devoir (to have to / must). Use it for obligation.

Je dois travailler. (I have to work.)
Nous devons partir maintenant. (We must leave now.)

All three are irregular, so their conjugations must simply be learned — see the diagram above. Memorise the je, tu, il singular forms first, then the nous, vous, ils forms.

Worked mini-example. Translate "She must finish her homework." First verb = devoir for elle → elle doit. Second verb stays infinitive → finir (to finish). Add the object: ses devoirs (her homework). Result: Elle doit finir ses devoirs.

vouloir (to want), pouvoir (can), devoir (must) all link straight to an infinitive — no à or de.
All three are irregular: learn je veux / je peux / je dois and the plural forms.
Polite versions: je voudrais (I'd like), pourriez-vous (could you).
Je dois travailler = I have to work; je peux nager = I can swim.

aller + infinitive (near future) and venir de + infinitive (recent past)

aller + infinitive = 'going to'; venir de + infinitive = 'have just'.

A timeline placing venir de (recent past) and aller (near future) either side of the present moment.

Two everyday constructions use a conjugated verb plus an infinitive to shift you in time. They are among the most useful structures in the whole syllabus because they let you talk about the future and the recent past without learning a single new tense ending.

aller + infinitive — the 'near future' (le futur proche). Conjugate aller (to go) in the present, then add an infinitive. It means 'going to do something', just like English.

French	English
Je vais manger.	I am going to eat.
Tu vas sortir ce soir ?	Are you going to go out tonight?
Il va pleuvoir.	It is going to rain.
Nous allons voyager en France.	We are going to travel to France.
Ils vont arriver demain.	They are going to arrive tomorrow.

The present tense of aller is: je vais, tu vas, il/elle va, nous allons, vous allez, ils/elles vont. It is irregular, so learn it by heart.

venir de + infinitive — the 'recent past'. Conjugate venir (to come) in the present, add de, then an infinitive. It means 'to have just done' something.

French	English
Je viens de manger.	I have just eaten.
Tu viens d'arriver ?	Have you just arrived?
Elle vient de partir.	She has just left.
Nous venons de finir.	We have just finished.

The present tense of venir is: je viens, tu viens, il/elle vient, nous venons, vous venez, ils/elles viennent. Remember that de becomes d' before a vowel (je viens d'arriver — I have just arrived).

Worked mini-example. "I am going to study, but I have just eaten." Future half: aller for je + étudier → je vais étudier. Recent-past half: venir de for je + manger → je viens de manger. Result: Je vais étudier, mais je viens de manger.

aller + infinitive = near future ('going to'): je vais manger — I am going to eat.
Present of aller: vais, vas, va, allons, allez, vont.
venir de + infinitive = recent past ('have just'): je viens de manger — I have just eaten.
Present of venir: viens, viens, vient, venons, venez, viennent. de → d' before a vowel.

The three linking patterns — nothing, à, or de

Some verbs link directly to the infinitive; others need à or de in between.

Here is the part beginners worry about most — and the good news is that a short list covers almost everything you need for 0520. When a conjugated verb is followed by an infinitive, the link between them is one of three things:

Pattern A — no link (verb + infinitive directly). These verbs slot straight onto the infinitive with nothing in between.

Verb	Example	English
vouloir (to want)	Je veux partir.	I want to leave.
pouvoir (can)	Je peux venir.	I can come.
devoir (must)	Je dois étudier.	I must study.
aller (to go)	Je vais manger.	I am going to eat.
aimer (to like)	J'aime lire.	I like to read.
adorer (to love)	J'adore danser.	I love to dance.
détester (to hate)	Je déteste attendre.	I hate to wait.
préférer (to prefer)	Je préfère rester.	I prefer to stay.
espérer (to hope)	J'espère gagner.	I hope to win.

A memory hook: verbs of liking and wanting, and the modals, take no link. If you can put "to ___" smoothly in English after "want / can / must / like / love / hate / prefer / hope", French uses no linking word.

Pattern B — verb + à + infinitive. A smaller set needs à before the infinitive. The most common at this level:

Verb	Example	English
commencer à (to begin to)	Je commence à comprendre.	I'm beginning to understand.
apprendre à (to learn to)	J'apprends à nager.	I'm learning to swim.
réussir à (to manage / succeed in)	Je réussis à finir.	I manage to finish.
aider à (to help to)	Il aide à ranger.	He helps to tidy up.
continuer à (to continue to)	Je continue à travailler.	I continue to work.
inviter … à (to invite to)	Je l'invite à dîner.	I invite him to dinner.

Pattern C — verb + de + infinitive. Another set needs de (which becomes d' before a vowel):

Verb	Example	English
essayer de (to try to)	J'essaie de finir.	I'm trying to finish.
décider de (to decide to)	Je décide de partir.	I decide to leave.
oublier de (to forget to)	J'oublie de téléphoner.	I forget to phone.
refuser de (to refuse to)	Je refuse de payer.	I refuse to pay.
finir de (to finish doing)	Je finis de manger.	I finish eating.
venir de (to have just)	Je viens de partir.	I have just left.
avoir besoin de (to need to)	J'ai besoin de dormir.	I need to sleep.

There is no fool-proof rule for which verb takes which link — they are learned verb by verb. But notice that the most frequent everyday verbs (the modals, plus liking/wanting verbs) take no link at all, so you can speak confidently from day one and add the à/de verbs gradually.

Worked mini-example. "I'm trying to learn to swim." Outer verb essayer takes de: j'essaie de …. Inner verb apprendre takes à: apprendre à nager. Chain them: J'essaie d'apprendre à nager. (Notice de → d' before the vowel of apprendre.)

No link: modals + liking/wanting verbs — je veux partir, j'aime lire, je vais manger.
à: commencer à, apprendre à, réussir à, aider à, continuer à.
de: essayer de, décider de, oublier de, refuser de, venir de, avoir besoin de.
de shortens to d' before a vowel: j'essaie d'arriver à l'heure.
The link is learned per verb — but the highest-frequency verbs take no link.

Negatives, pronouns and word order in two-verb sentences

ne … pas wraps the conjugated verb; object pronouns sit before the infinitive.

Once you can build a two-verb sentence, you need to know where the other little words go — the negative ne … pas, object pronouns like le / la / les, and adverbs.

Negatives — wrap the CONJUGATED verb. The ne … pas sandwich goes around the first (conjugated) verb, leaving the infinitive outside.

French	English
Je ne veux pas manger.	I don't want to eat.
Tu ne peux pas sortir.	You can't go out.
Nous n'allons pas voyager.	We are not going to travel.
Elle ne vient pas d'arriver.	She has not just arrived.

Note ne becomes n' before a vowel (n'allons). The same pattern works for ne … jamais (never) and ne … plus (no longer): je ne veux plus attendre (I don't want to wait any more).

Object pronouns — in front of the INFINITIVE. When a pronoun (le — it/him, la — it/her, les — them, me — me, te — you) is the object of the second verb, it goes directly before the infinitive, not before the conjugated verb.

French	English
Je veux le voir.	I want to see it/him.
Tu peux m'aider ?	Can you help me?
Je vais les acheter.	I am going to buy them.
Il décide de la vendre.	He decides to sell it.

So the order is: [subject] [conjugated verb] (link) [pronoun] [infinitive].

Adverbs — usually after the conjugated verb. Short, common adverbs slot in after the first verb: je veux vraiment partir (I really want to leave), je vais souvent nager (I often go swimming).

Worked mini-example. "I don't want to buy them." Start with the verb + infinitive: je veux acheter. Add the negative around the conjugated verb: je ne veux pas …. Put the pronoun les (them) before the infinitive: … pas les acheter. Result: Je ne veux pas les acheter.

ne … pas wraps the conjugated verb: je ne veux pas manger.
ne → n' before a vowel: nous n'allons pas partir.
Object pronouns sit before the infinitive: je veux le voir, tu peux m'aider.
Order: subject + conjugated verb + (link) + pronoun + infinitive.
Short adverbs follow the conjugated verb: je vais souvent nager.

Quick recap

When two verbs meet, conjugate the first verb only and leave the second as an infinitive: je veux manger (I want to eat).
An infinitive ends in -er, -ir or -re and never changes — it is the dictionary form.
The modal verbs vouloir (to want), pouvoir (can) and devoir (must) are irregular and link straight to an infinitive with no in-between word.
aller + infinitive = near future ('going to'); venir de + infinitive = recent past ('have just').
Three links exist: nothing (je veux partir), à (commencer à, apprendre à), de (essayer de, décider de) — learned per verb.
Negatives wrap the conjugated verb (je ne veux pas manger); object pronouns sit before the infinitive (je veux le voir).
This one structure lets you say a great deal with very few conjugations — perfect for a beginner.

Memorise this

Verbatim phrases and definitions Cambridge mark schemes credit.

Two verbs together → conjugate the first, leave the second as an infinitive: je veux manger (I want to eat).
vouloir: je veux, tu veux, il veut, nous voulons, vous voulez, ils veulent (to want).
pouvoir: je peux, tu peux, il peut, nous pouvons, vous pouvez, ils peuvent (can).
devoir: je dois, tu dois, il doit, nous devons, vous devez, ils doivent (must).
aller + infinitive = going to: je vais, tu vas, il va, nous allons, vous allez, ils vont.
venir de + infinitive = have just: je viens de, tu viens de, il vient de … (de → d' before a vowel).
No link: aimer, adorer, détester, préférer, espérer + infinitive (j'aime lire).
à-verbs: commencer à, apprendre à, réussir à, continuer à, aider à.
de-verbs: essayer de, décider de, oublier de, refuser de, avoir besoin de.
Negative wraps the conjugated verb: je ne veux pas manger. Pronoun before the infinitive: je veux le voir.
Polite forms: je voudrais (I'd like), je pourrais (I could), je devrais (I should).

How it’s examined

Verb + infinitive constructions appear in every paper of Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 and are one of the structures examiners most want to see beginners use confidently.

Paper 1 (Listening): Speakers constantly use je vais … (going to), je voudrais … (I'd like), il faut … and on peut … (one can). Catching the conjugated verb tells you the time frame and the speaker's intention (wanting, having to, going to), which is often exactly what a question asks.
Paper 2 (Reading): Texts use these constructions to express plans and opinions. Recognising venir de + infinitive ('have just') versus aller + infinitive ('going to') is essential for time-frame questions, where mixing up recent past and near future loses marks.
Paper 3 (Speaking): Using je voudrais, je vais, j'aime + infinitive and je dois + infinitive lets you express opinions, plans and obligations naturally. Handling more than one time frame (recent past + present + near future) is rewarded under the range and accuracy criteria.
Paper 4 (Writing): This is where accuracy is graded closely. You must conjugate only the first verb, choose the correct link (nothing / à / de), and place ne … pas around the conjugated verb. The polite conditional forms (je voudrais, je devrais) add the sophistication examiners credit.

Examiner reports note that weaker candidates conjugate the second verb (je veux mange) or insert an unnecessary à/de; stronger candidates use aller + infinitive and venir de + infinitive to show control of time frames.

Sources: Cambridge IGCSE French 0520 Syllabus 2025-2027; Cambridge 0520 Paper 2 (Reading) & Paper 4 (Writing) Specimen 2025-2027; Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports 2022-2024. Last reviewed 2026-06-02.

Take this whole topic with you

Step-by-step worked examples — Verb + infinitive constructions

Step-by-step solutions to past-paper-style questions on verb + infinitive constructions, written exactly the way a tutor would explain them at the board.

1Build a simple verb + infinitive sentence
Getting started
Question
Translate into French: I want to eat. Then say which verb you conjugate and which stays as an infinitive.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Spot the two verbs. 'Want' and 'eat'. The first verb (vouloir — to want) is conjugated; the second (manger — to eat) stays as an infinitive.
2. Step 2
  Conjugate the first verb for je (I). vouloir is irregular: je veux (I want).
3. Step 3
  Add the second verb unchanged. Keep manger in its dictionary form — do NOT conjugate it.
Answer
Je veux manger. Only veux (from vouloir) is conjugated; manger stays as an infinitive.
Examiner tip
The single most common error at this level is conjugating both verbs (je veux mange). Drill the rule until it is automatic: first verb conjugated, second verb infinitive. This unlocks dozens of sentences from very little grammar.
2Talk about the future with aller + infinitive
Getting started
Question
Say in French: We are going to travel to France tomorrow. Use the near future (aller + infinitive).
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Choose the structure. 'Going to' = aller + infinitive (le futur proche). Conjugate aller for nous (we): nous allons.
2. Step 2
  Add the action as an infinitive. 'To travel' = voyager (stays unchanged).
3. Step 3
  Add the details. 'To France' = en France; 'tomorrow' = demain (placed at the end).
Answer
Nous allons voyager en France demain. (allons = present of aller; voyager stays infinitive.)
Examiner tip
aller + infinitive is the spoken way to express the future and is fully credited in 0520. Combining it with a present tense and a recent past (venir de) shows control of multiple time frames — a key marker for higher grades in Speaking and Writing.
3Choose the correct link: nothing, à or de
Building confidence
Question
Complete each sentence with nothing, à, or de (or d'): (a) Je veux ___ partir. (b) Je commence ___ comprendre. (c) J'essaie ___ arriver à l'heure.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  (a) vouloir is a modal-type verb (want). It takes no link: Je veux partir. (I want to leave.)
2. Step 2
  (b) commencer takes à. Je commence à comprendre. (I'm beginning to understand.)
3. Step 3
  (c) essayer takes de, and de shortens to d' before the vowel of arriver: J'essaie d'arriver à l'heure. (I'm trying to arrive on time.)
Answer
(a) Je veux partir (no link). (b) Je commence à comprendre (à). (c) J'essaie d'arriver à l'heure (de → d').
Examiner tip
The link is learned verb by verb, but the pattern is reliable: modals and liking/wanting verbs take no link; commencer/apprendre/réussir take à; essayer/décider/oublier take de. Never translate the English 'to' as a separate word — it is already inside the infinitive.
4Use venir de + infinitive for the recent past
Building confidence
Question
Translate: She has just left. Then explain why no past tense is needed.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Recognise 'have/has just' = venir de + infinitive (the recent past), not a past tense.
2. Step 2
  Conjugate venir in the present for elle (she): elle vient. Then add de.
3. Step 3
  Add the action as an infinitive. 'To leave' = partir. Result: elle vient de partir.
Answer
Elle vient de partir. No past tense is needed because venir de + infinitive itself carries the meaning 'have just (done)'.
Examiner tip
Candidates often reach for the perfect tense (elle est partie) when 'have just' is signalled. venir de + infinitive is shorter, correct, and shows range. Remember de → d' before a vowel: je viens d'arriver (I have just arrived).
5Add a negative and an object pronoun
Stretch
Question
Translate: I don't want to buy them. Place the negative and the object pronoun correctly.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Build the core verb + infinitive. vouloir + acheter (to buy): je veux acheter.
2. Step 2
  Wrap the negative around the CONJUGATED verb. ne … pas goes around veux: je ne veux pas acheter.
3. Step 3
  Place the object pronoun before the INFINITIVE. 'Them' = les, and it sits just before acheter: … pas les acheter.
Answer
Je ne veux pas les acheter. (Negative around veux; pronoun les before the infinitive acheter.)
Examiner tip
Two placement rules combine here: ne … pas hugs the conjugated verb, while the object pronoun belongs to the infinitive's action and so sits in front of the infinitive. Writing je le veux acheter is a classic word-order error flagged in examiner reports.

Model Answers — Verb + infinitive constructions

High-scoring sample answers for verb + infinitive constructions on the Cambridge IGCSE 0520 paper, with examiner-style notes mapping each response to the mark scheme and assessment objectives.

Question 1
Paper 3 (Speaking) / Paper 4 (Writing) style. Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire ce week-end ? (What are you going to do this weekend?) Give a short spoken/written answer using at least two verb + infinitive constructions.
Model answer
Ce week-end, je vais voir mes amis. (This weekend, I'm going to see my friends.) Nous voulons aller au cinéma (We want to go to the cinema) et j'espère jouer au foot dimanche. (and I hope to play football on Sunday.) Mais d'abord, je dois finir mes devoirs ! (But first, I have to finish my homework!)
Why this scores
Why this scores. It packs in four verb + infinitive structures — je vais voir (near future), nous voulons aller and j'espère jouer (no-link verbs), and je dois finir (obligation) — all correctly built with only the first verb conjugated. The note jouer au foot uses jouer à for sport. This range of structures in a few lines is exactly what lifts the communication and accuracy marks.
Question 2
Paper 3 (Speaking) style. You are in a café. Politely order and ask a question, using a verb + infinitive construction.
Model answer
Bonjour, je voudrais commander, s'il vous plaît. (Hello, I would like to order, please.) Je voudrais manger un sandwich et boire un café. (I'd like to eat a sandwich and drink a coffee.) Est-ce que je peux payer par carte ? (Can I pay by card?)
Why this scores
Why this scores. je voudrais (the polite conditional of vouloir) + infinitive is natural, courteous and exactly right for a transaction. Je peux payer uses pouvoir + infinitive for permission. Both link straight to the infinitive with no à/de, and the accents on voudrais and café are correct — accuracy details examiners reward.
Question 3
Paper 4 (Writing) style. Write two sentences that move between time frames using venir de and aller.
Model answer
Je viens de finir mes examens, donc je suis très content. (I have just finished my exams, so I am very happy.) La semaine prochaine, je vais me reposer et je vais voyager avec ma famille. (Next week, I am going to rest and I am going to travel with my family.)
Why this scores
Why this scores. It demonstrates control of two time frames in one short answer: je viens de finir (recent past) and je vais me reposer / je vais voyager (near future). Handling more than one time frame accurately is a stated marker for the higher mark bands in Writing. Note de stays full before the consonant of finir.

Key Definitions and Keywords — Verb + infinitive constructions

Definitions to memorise and the exact keywords mark schemes credit for verb + infinitive constructions answers — sharpened from recent examiner reports for the 2026 0520 sitting.

Infinitive (l'infinitif)
Examiner keyword
The unchanged dictionary form of a verb, ending in -er, -ir or -re. After a first conjugated verb, the second verb stays in this form.
Example
manger (to eat), finir (to finish), vendre (to sell). Je veux manger — I want to eat.
vouloir
Examiner keyword
Irregular verb meaning 'to want'. Links directly to an infinitive with no in-between word. Polite form: je voudrais (I would like).
Example
Je veux partir. (I want to leave.) Je voudrais réserver. (I'd like to book.)
pouvoir
Examiner keyword
Irregular verb meaning 'to be able to / can', for ability or permission. Links straight to an infinitive.
Example
Je peux nager. (I can swim.) Tu peux m'aider ? (Can you help me?)
devoir
Examiner keyword
Irregular verb meaning 'to have to / must', for obligation. Links straight to an infinitive. Conditional je devrais = 'I should'.
Example
Je dois travailler. (I have to work.) Je devrais réviser. (I should revise.)
aller + infinitive
Examiner keyword
The near future (le futur proche): conjugated aller (to go) plus an infinitive, meaning 'going to do something'.
Example
Je vais manger. (I am going to eat.) Il va pleuvoir. (It is going to rain.)
venir de + infinitive
Examiner keyword
The recent past: conjugated venir (to come) plus de plus an infinitive, meaning 'to have just done something'. de → d' before a vowel.
Example
Je viens de manger. (I have just eaten.) Je viens d'arriver. (I have just arrived.)
verb + à + infinitive
A group of verbs that require à before the following infinitive.
Example
commencer à (to begin to), apprendre à (to learn to): J'apprends à nager. (I'm learning to swim.)
verb + de + infinitive
A group of verbs that require de before the following infinitive (de → d' before a vowel).
Example
essayer de (to try to), décider de (to decide to): J'essaie de finir. (I'm trying to finish.)
futur proche
The 'near future' tense formed with aller + infinitive. It is the everyday spoken way to express future plans and is fully accepted in 0520.
Example
Demain, je vais étudier. (Tomorrow, I am going to study.)
Modal verb
A helper verb (vouloir, pouvoir, devoir) that combines with an infinitive to express wanting, ability or obligation, with no linking word.
Example
Je dois partir mais je veux rester. (I must leave but I want to stay.)

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions — Verb + infinitive constructions

The traps other students keep falling into on verb + infinitive constructions questions — taken from recent Cambridge IGCSE 0520 examiner reports and mark schemes — and how to avoid them.

✕Conjugating the second verb as well as the first (je veux mange)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing), accuracy
Why it happens
Beginners feel every verb must 'agree' with the subject, so they conjugate both.
How to avoid it
Memorise the rule: first verb conjugated, second verb stays as an infinitive. Say it as a chant — je veux MANGER, je peux PARTIR — keeping the -er/-ir/-re ending intact.
✕Adding a word for English 'to' (je veux à manger / je veux de manger)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Papers 3 & 4
Why it happens
Learners translate 'to eat' word-for-word and insert à or de for the 'to'.
How to avoid it
The English 'to' is already inside the French infinitive. Modal and liking/wanting verbs take NO link: je veux manger. Only add à or de when a specific verb demands it (commencer à, essayer de).
✕Using the wrong link (je commence de instead of je commence à)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)
Why it happens
There is no logical rule for which verb takes à and which takes de, so learners guess.
How to avoid it
Learn the link as part of the verb, like vocabulary: commencer à, apprendre à, réussir à; essayer de, décider de, oublier de. Write them with the preposition attached when you revise.
✕Confusing venir de (just done) with aller (going to do)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 2 (Reading), time frames
Why it happens
Both use a present-tense verb + infinitive, so learners mix up which one means past and which means future.
How to avoid it
Picture the timeline: venir de looks BACK ('have just'), aller looks FORWARD ('going to'). Drill the pair: je viens de manger (just ate) vs je vais manger (going to eat).
✕Putting the object pronoun before the wrong verb (je le veux voir)
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 4 (Writing)
Why it happens
Learners attach the pronoun to the first verb, as feels natural from the English word order.
How to avoid it
The pronoun belongs to the infinitive's action, so it goes directly before the infinitive: je veux le voir (I want to see it/him), je vais les acheter (I'm going to buy them).
✕Wrapping ne … pas around the infinitive instead of the conjugated verb
Cambridge 0520 Examiner Reports — Paper 3 (Speaking) & Paper 4 (Writing)
Why it happens
Learners are unsure which of the two verbs the negative belongs to.
How to avoid it
Put ne … pas around the FIRST (conjugated) verb, leaving the infinitive outside: je ne veux pas manger (I don't want to eat), nous n'allons pas partir (we are not going to leave).

Verb + infinitive constructions

Detailed Study Notes

At a glance

What you’ll learn

Quick recap

Memorise this

How it’s examined

Take this whole topic with you

1Build a simple verb + infinitive sentence

2Talk about the future with aller + infinitive

3Choose the correct link: nothing, à or de

4Use venir de + infinitive for the recent past

5Add a negative and an object pronoun

Infinitive (l'infinitif)

vouloir

pouvoir

devoir

aller + infinitive

venir de + infinitive

verb + à + infinitive

verb + de + infinitive

futur proche

Modal verb

✕Conjugating the second verb as well as the first (je veux mange)

✕Adding a word for English 'to' (je veux à manger / je veux de manger)

✕Using the wrong link (je commence de instead of je commence à)

✕Confusing venir de (just done) with aller (going to do)

✕Putting the object pronoun before the wrong verb (je le veux voir)

✕Wrapping ne … pas around the infinitive instead of the conjugated verb