12.10: Structure - Expressions impersonnelles avec l'infinitif
- Page ID
- 133619
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)In this section, you will learn how to use impersonal expressions with infinitives
Listen to the audio clips that follow on this page to hear the French pronunciation of vocabulary and examples presented.
On étudie !
An impersonal expression does not have a specific subject. Compare for example, the following expressions of necessity or obligation, using the verb devoir (je dois…) and falloir (il faut…) followed by infinitives:
Je dois acheter un billet d’avion. (I must buy a plane ticket.)
Il faut obtenir un billet. It is necessary to buy a ticket. (One must buy a ticket.)
In the first example, the subject is specific: je, the person who is speaking. However, in the second example, Il does not refer to any specific person or thing; it can apply to just about anyone. Il faut + infinitve is an impersonal expression, while je dois + infinitif is not.
Here are some common impersonal expressions that can be followed by infinitives (expresion impersonnelle + infinitif):
| Français | Anglais |
|---|---|
| il faut | it's necessary |
| il vaut mieux | it’s better/best |
| il est essentiel de | it’s essential |
| il est indispensable de | it’s essential |
| il est important de | it’s important |
| il est bon de | it’s good |
| il est nécessaire de | it’s necessary |
| il est possible de | it’s possible |
Here are some examples:
Il vaut mieux étudier le matin. (It's better to study in the morning)
Il vaut mieux ne pas le faire. (It's better not do it.)
Il n’est pas bon d'attendre trop longtemps. (It’s not good to wait too long)
Il ne faut pas l'oublier. (We shouldn't forget it)
Il est impossible de les voir (It is impossible to see them)
Study the Quizlet vocabulary flashcards. Listen and repeat the French pronunciation.
On pratique !
Activité
Choisissez une expression impersonnelle pour compléter les phrases suivantes.
Modèle : faire du covoiturage ➔ Il est important de faire du covoiturage.
- Prendre des mesures pour baisser les émissions de gaz. ➔
- Acheter une voiture électrique. ➔
- Interdire les voitures utilisant des combustibles fossiles. ➔
- Visiter les parcs nationaux. ➔
- Réduire la pollution. ➔
- Faire des bêtises. ➔
- Protéger l’environnement. ➔
On approfondit !
Use the following resources to type accents and/or search for words:
- Accents: ç, à, é, è, â, ê, î, ô, û, ù, ë, ï, ü
- Dictionnaire français-anglais