loin de + Infinitive
Far from with Loin De
The structure loin de + infinitive is used to emphasize that the reality of a situation is the exact opposite of what might be expected. It is more emphatic than a simple 'instead of'.
How It Works
The expression loin de + infinitive is a sophisticated way to introduce a contradiction. While par contre functions as a connector between independent clauses, loin de introduces a dependent infinitive clause to imply a paradox or a strong rejection of a likely outcome. It is more emphatic than au lieu de.
1. Grammatical Structure:
- Loin de + Present Infinitive: Used for simultaneous actions (e.g., Loin d'aider...).
- Loin de + Past Infinitive: Used for completed actions (e.g., Loin d'avoir compris...).
- Elision: The preposition de becomes d' before a vowel or mute 'h'.
2. The Same-Subject Rule:
Crucially, the person performing the action in the 'loin de' phrase must be the same person performing the main action. For example, in 'Loin de se plaindre, il sourit,' 'il' (he) is the one not complaining and the one smiling.
3. Different Subjects (Loin que):
If the subjects are different, you must use loin que followed by the subjunctive. For example: Loin que je veuille vous offenser, votre plan est risqué (Far from me wanting to offend you, your plan is risky). Note that loin que is extremely rare and almost exclusively limited to formal literature; it is rarely used in modern spoken French.
4. Fixed Expression: Loin s'en faut:
A common idiomatic expression at this level is loin s'en faut, which means 'far from it' or 'not by a long shot.' It is used for emphasis to deny a previous statement: Est-il prêt ? Loin s'en faut ! (Is he ready? Far from it!).
5. Register and Nuance:
This structure is common in formal writing and literature. To add even more emphasis, speakers often use bien loin de ('very far from'). It often carries a tone of irony or indignation, highlighting how far the reality is from the expectation.
Examples (5)
- Loin de me remercier, il s'est montré ingrat.
Far from thanking me, he proved to be ungrateful.
Word by Word: Far of me to thank, he himself is shown ungrateful.
This shows a strong contrast: one would expect thanks, but the reality was ingratitude.
- Sa santé, loin de s'améliorer, s'est plutôt aggravée.
His health, far from improving, has rather worsened.
Word by Word: His health, far of itself to improve, itself is rather worsened.
Here, the pattern is used parenthetically to contrast the expected improvement with the actual decline.
- Bien loin d'approuver cette décision, le directeur l'a vivement critiquée.
Far from approving this decision, the director strongly criticized it.
Word by Word: Very far of to approve this decision, the director it has strongly criticized.
The addition of 'bien' adds extra emphasis to the director's rejection of the decision.
- Loin d'être intimidée, elle a répondu avec assurance.
Far from being intimidated, she answered with confidence.
Word by Word: Far of to be intimidated, she has answered with assurance.
This uses the infinitive of 'être' to describe a state that is the opposite of what was expected.
- Loin d'avoir fini son travail, il a décidé de partir en vacances.
Far from having finished his work, he decided to go on vacation.
Word by Word: Far of to have finished his work, he has decided of to leave in vacations.
This uses a past infinitive ('avoir fini') to show that the state of completion had not been reached.
Common Mistakes
Using 'loin de' when the subjects of the two clauses are different.
Loin de pleuvoir, nous marchions sous le soleil.Loin qu'il pleuve, nous marchions sous le soleil.In the incorrect example, the subject of 'pleuvoir' (it) is different from the subject of the main clause (we). When subjects differ, you must use 'loin que' followed by the subjunctive.
Confusing the introductory phrase with the verbal expression 'être loin de'.
Il loin de finir son livre.Il est loin de finir son livre.When 'loin de' is used as a predicate to mean 'to be far from doing something,' you must include the verb être.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'loin de + infinitive', you need to be familiar with the preposition 'de' and how French uses the infinitive form of a verb to represent an action without conjugation. This pattern functions similarly to other prepositional phrases followed by an infinitive, where the infinitive acts as the object of the preposition.
- de (provenance / appartenance)Origin, Possession with De
The pattern 'loin de' is built using the preposition 'de', which is essential for linking the adverb 'loin' to the following infinitive.
Level 1 - Verbs linked directly to an infinitive
Understanding how infinitives function as verbal complements is necessary to use them correctly after the 'loin de' construction.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- Past infinitive with avoir or etre
The past infinitive is used with 'loin de' to indicate that a completed action or state is being contradicted.
Level 5 - Dropping a vowel before another vowel
'Loin de' becomes 'loin d'' when the following infinitive starts with a vowel or mute h.
Level 1 - Verb + de + InfinitiveVerbs Linked to an Infinitive by De
Like many French structures, 'loin de' uses the preposition 'de' to link to a following verb in its base form.
Level 2 - Avoiding the subjunctive with a same-subject infinitive
This pattern follows the general French rule of preferring an infinitive construction over a subordinate clause when the subject remains the same.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice loin de + Infinitive in Bubblegum
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