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What are Gerunds, Infinitives, and Participles?

Gerunds, infinitives, and participles are non-finite verb forms — they don't change with person or number. The infinitive (parler) is the base form; the gerund (en parlant) expresses simultaneous action; participles (parlant, parlé) act as adjectives or help form tenses.

Short answer

These are non-finite verbs: infinitive is the base form (parler = speak), gerund is 'en + present participle' (en parlant = while speaking), and participles (present: parlant; past: parlé) modify nouns or form compound tenses.

Three Non-Finite Verb Forms

Infinitive & Gerund

•Infinitive: parler, aller, finir — base form (Je veux parler.)
•Gerund: en parlant, en allant, en finissant — with 'en', shows simultaneous action

Present & Past Participles

•Present participle: parlant, allant, finissant — acts as adjective (une femme parlante)
•Past participle: parlé, allé, fini — adjective or auxiliary (j'ai parlé)

Step-by-step worked examples

Complete: 'Je me détends ___ musique.' (Relax while listening to music.)

The action must be simultaneous: 'en écoutant' (gerund).
Answer: Je me détends en écoutant la musique.
Note: Gerund = en + present participle (nous form without -ons).

Use past participle as adjective: 'Une fenêtre...' (A broken window.)

Past participle casser → cassé (masc./fem.: cassée)
Answer: Une fenêtre cassée.
Adjective agrees with the noun: window (feminine) → cassée.

Form gerund from 'courir': Express 'while running down the street'.

Gerund from courir (nous courons) → en courant.
Answer: Elle parle en courant dans la rue.
Same rule: drop -ons and prefix 'en'.

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Complete: 'Elle rentre ___ l'école.' (She returns from school.)

Correct answer: A. 'En sortant de l'école' = while leaving/after leaving school (gerund).

Q2.Which is the past participle of 'finir'?

Correct answer: D. Fini is past participle (j'ai fini = I have finished).

Q3.Form the gerund from 'lire': '___ un livre, j'apprends.'

Correct answer: B. 'En lisant un livre' = while reading a book (gerund).

Q4.Use present participle as adjective: 'Un enfant...' (A smiling child.)

Correct answer: B. Souriant (smiling/present participle) modifies 'enfant' (masc. sg.).

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Common mistakes

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Confusing infinitive with past participle. — Correct: Infinitive: parler (base). Past participle: parlé (auxiliary form).

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Using present participle without 'en' for simultaneous action. — Correct: Gerund requires 'en': 'en parlant' (while speaking), not just 'parlant'.

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Forgetting gerund agreement is invariable. — Correct: Gerund never changes form — en parlant works for all persons.

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Using gerund for habitual/repeated action. — Correct: Gerund = simultaneous; for habitual, use 'je parle souvent' or present tense.

FAQ

Can infinitives function as nouns?

Yes — 'Parler est facile' (Speaking is easy). The infinitive acts as a noun here.

Do gerunds and participles ever change?

No — gerunds never change. Present participles used as adjectives may agree with the noun.

Is the infinitive always preceded by 'à' or 'de'?

Not always. After modal verbs: 'Je peux parler' (no preposition). After other verbs: often 'Je commence à parler'.

How do you recognize a past participle in text?

Look for -é, -i, or -u endings (parlé, fini, lu) — often after an auxiliary like avoir or être.