French Verb Forms That Never Change: A Beginner’s Guide
Master **non-personal verb forms in French** at B1 level: infinitive, participle, and gerund — the verb forms that never change with the subject, yet appear everywhere in French.
Non-personal verb forms in French
Learn about non-personal verb forms in French at B1 level. These are verb forms that don't change based on the subject: the infinitive (parler), the participle (parlé, parlant), and the gerund (en parlant). They are essential for building complex sentences in French.
The gerund in French
B1
FR
Formed with en + present participle, this verb form expresses simultaneity or manner, answering the question how? or when? in relation to the main verb. For example, il apprend le français en regardant des films shows two actions happening at the same time. Mastering this structure will help you add nuance and fluency to your French sentences.
The infinitive in French
A1
FR
The infinitive is the base form of French verbs, the one you find in dictionaries, always ending in -er, -ir, or -re. It is used in countless everyday situations, such as after modal verbs like pouvoir or vouloir, or to express general ideas and instructions. Mastering it is an essential first step toward building real sentences in French!
The participle in French
B2
FR
Explore how French uses participial forms to enrich sentences and convey nuance with precision. This category covers both the present participle (participe présent) and the past participle (participe passé), two essential tools for describing actions, building compound tenses, and constructing elegant subordinate constructions. Mastering these forms will give you greater flexibility and fluency in both written and spoken French.