Past infinitive with avoir or etre
The infinitif passé (past infinitive) is used to sequence two actions performed by the same person. It shows that one action was finished before the next one began. It is most commonly seen after the preposition après.
How It Works
The past infinitive is a vital tool for intermediate and advanced learners to create fluid, natural sentences.
1. Formation:
It follows the same logic as the passé composé. You choose the auxiliary based on the verb:
- Avoir: Most verbs (e.g., avoir mangé).
- Être: 'DR MRS VANDERTRAMP' verbs and all reflexive verbs (e.g., être allé, s'être levé).
2. The Same-Subject Rule:
This is the most important rule: the subject of the past infinitive must be the same as the subject of the main conjugated verb. If the subjects are different, you must use a subordinate clause with que instead.
3. Common Triggers:
- Après: Unlike English which uses the present participle ('After eating'), French must use the past infinitive: Après avoir mangé.
- Sans: To show something didn't happen first (e.g., sans être parti).
- Pour: Often used to express a cause or reason for a result (e.g., arrêté pour avoir volé).
- Verbs of Emotion/Opinion: Used with de to express regret or thanks (e.g., Merci de m'avoir aidé).
4. Agreement:
The past participle follows standard rules: it agrees with the subject when using être, and with a preceding direct object when using avoir.
Examples (5)
- Après avoir fini ses devoirs, il est allé au cinéma.
After finishing his homework, he went to the movies.
Word by Word: After to have finished his homeworks, he is gone to the cinema.
The action of finishing happened before going to the cinema. Both actions are done by 'il'.
- Je vous remercie de m'avoir invité à votre soirée.
I thank you for having invited me to your party.
Word by Word: I you thank of me to have invited to your evening.
The invitation happened before the thanks. Note that 'me' (m') is placed before the auxiliary 'avoir'.
- Elle est partie sans être passée par la réception.
She left without having stopped by the reception.
Word by Word: She is left without to be passed by the reception.
Uses 'être' because 'passer' is a motion verb. The participle 'passée' agrees with the feminine subject 'elle'.
- Il a été puni pour avoir menti à ses parents.
He was punished for having lied to his parents.
Word by Word: He has been punished for to have lied to his parents.
Here, 'pour' + past infinitive explains the reason (the cause) for the punishment.
- Après s'être levé, il a pris une douche.
After getting up, he took a shower.
Word by Word: After himself to be raised, he has taken a shower.
Reflexive verbs always use 'être' as the auxiliary in the past infinitive.
Common Mistakes
Using the present infinitive after 'après'.
Après manger, je vais sortir.Après avoir mangé, je vais sortir.In careful French, 'après' is followed by the past infinitive to show the action is completed. 'Après manger' is heard in everyday speech, but it is informal.
Subject mismatch (Dangling Infinitive).
Après avoir fini le gâteau, la fête a commencé.Après que nous avons fini le gâteau, la fête a commencé.The first sentence implies the 'party' finished the cake. Since the subjects are different (we vs. the party), you cannot use the past infinitive.
Using the order 'n'avoir pas' in everyday writing.
Different MeaningJe regrette de n'avoir pas fini.Je regrette de ne pas avoir fini.'Je regrette de n'avoir pas fini' is correct and common in literary style. In everyday French, the usual order is 'ne pas avoir fini', with both parts of the negation before the auxiliary.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the past infinitive, you must first understand how compound tenses are formed in French. This includes knowing which verbs take 'avoir' or 'être' as an auxiliary and how to form and agree past participles.
Related Patterns
- être + Past ParticipleCompound Past with Etre
The past infinitive uses the same auxiliary selection rules (avoir vs être) as the passé composé.
Level 2 - avant de + InfinitiveBefore Doing Something with Avant De
While 'après' requires the past infinitive, 'avant de' always uses the present infinitive, even for past events.
Level 3 - Object pronouns before an infinitive
Pronouns are placed before the auxiliary verb in a past infinitive structure (e.g., 'de m'avoir dit').
Level 2 - Avoiding the subjunctive with a same-subject infinitive
French prefers using an infinitive (like the past infinitive) over a 'que' clause when the subjects are the same.
Level 4
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Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Past infinitive with avoir or etre in Bubblegum
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