sens + Infinitive
Without Doing
Put sens before the infinitive to say that someone does one thing without doing another.
How It Works
| Occitan | English |
|---|---|
| sens dire res | without saying anything |
| sens manjar | without eating |
| sens comprene | without understanding |
| sens pagar | without paying |
The two actions have the same subject: Partís sens dire res says that the same person leaves and says nothing. The tense is on the first verb, and the infinitive never changes.
You already know sens before a noun, as in sens pan (without bread). With a verb, use the infinitive in the same place.
The dictionaries write sens. A few collections of tales print sans, and some writers add pas (sens pas res). This course writes sens and leaves out pas.
To say that two things happen together, use the gerund: en parlant (while talking). To say that something is not done, use sens and the infinitive.
Examples (4)
- Partís sens dire res.
He leaves without saying anything.
Sens dire res: the infinitive follows sens.
- Soi partit sens manjar.
I left without eating.
The infinitive manjar follows sens.
- Legissi sens comprene tot.
I read without understanding everything.
Sens comprene tot: the infinitive comprene takes its object.
- Podètz pas passar sens pagar.
You cannot pass without paying.
Sens pagar tells what is missing.
Common Mistakes
Using the French word sans.
Partís sans dire res.Partís sens dire res.The dictionaries write sens.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Sens plus an infinitive combines sens with per plus an infinitive, so those come first.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice sens + Infinitive in Bubblegum
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