à + verb or de/d' + verb

Question

This isn't covered in fully in the lessons, but I would like to know: how do we know when to use à + verb as opposed to de + verb? Some lessons cover de + verb, for example to say 'before running' I can say 'avant de courir'. But I'm not sure about the other case, à + verb. Any answers? I haven't had much luck searching the web for this, so any help would be much appreciated.

This is the one specific to this exercise:

"qui consiste à appliquer de la peinture sur de l'eau". Why not "qui consiste d'appliquer ...?"

Here are other cases I've found on this website:

nous avons commencé à le faire il y a quelques années

quand tu auras fini de ranger ta chambre, tu m'aideras à faire la vaisselle.

on est toujours pressé d'oublier les moments délicats

le temps que je finisse de manger, ... j'aurai fini de vérifier ... le temps que ça lui prend de se préparer

Accepted Answer

Hi Nignuoy, 
I am working on lists of verbs which are followed by 'à' and 'de' and another verb in the infinitive which hopefully will be on the system in the near future so look out for them...
There is no specific reason why you use one or the other so it is just a case of learning them or getting used to what sounds normal.
There are a few which can take either like commencer but not many...

Answer

Hey Cécile, good to know. I look forward to it! Thanks :)

Answer

Hi Cécile, did the “verb + à, verb + de, verb + either” list get created? Could you link to it please?

Answer

Hi Brian, 
Yes, there are several -
Here are a few :
https://french.kwiziq.com/learn/theme/3975140
https://french.kwiziq.com/learn/theme/3744352
https://french.kwiziq.com/learn/theme/3907147
https://french.kwiziq.com/learn/theme/3603304
https://french.kwiziq.com/learn/theme/3975230
 
There are also a few 'fill-in-the-blanks' exercises that I can point you towards if you are interested in testing yourself.
Hope this helps!