Infinitive Preceded by Adjectives and Nouns
In the majority of cases, adjectives and nouns that are modified by an infinitive are followed by de before the infinitive:
- Je n'ai pas le temps de t'attendre. (I don't have the time to wait for you.)
- Je suis ravi de vous revoir. (I'm delighted to see you again.)
- Est‐il capable de le faire? (Is he capable of doing it?)
De + infinitive is used after que in the second part of a comparison:
- Je préfère lire que de regarder la télévision. (I prefer to read rather than to watch television.)
The preposition à is used in the following instances:
If the infinitive conveys a passive meaning (the subject is acted upon):
- Donnez‐moi quelque chose à manger. (Give me something to eat [to be eaten].)
- J'ai une lettre à écrire. (I have a letter to write [to be written].)
After le dernier (the last), le seul (the only), le premier (the first), and other numerals, and after a few adjectives showing tendency, fitness, and purpose, such as habile (skillful), lent (slow), prêt (ready):
- Elle était la première à partir. (She was the first to leave.)
- Nous sommes prêts à commencer. (We are ready to begin.)
With certain nouns to express purpose or function:
- un fer à friser (a curling iron)
- une chambre à coucher (a bedroom)
Note the following:
Impersonal expressions beginning with il + être + adjective require de before the infinitive, which is really the subject:
- Il est difficile de comprendre. (It is difficult to understand or To understand [Understanding] is difficult.)
In the construction ce + être + adjective + à + infinitive, ce ( ceci, cela) is the subject of the infinitive and conveys a passive meaning:
- C'est difficile à comprendre. (It is difficult to understand.)