Pouvoir + infinitive form

DYLAN A.A1Kwiziq community member

Pouvoir + infinitive form

Bonjour,

I have a question about saying pouvoir + infinitive of a verb. For example: Je peux parler Francais. Why does this translate to "I can speak French" when the verb Parker means TO speak? Wouldn't it translate to "I can to speak French"? Or do we always use the infinitive to express capabilities? What else would we use the infinitive form for? Merci beacoup!

Asked 4 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Dylan, 

parler to speak 

There is a rule in French that when two verbs follow each other, the second one is in the infinitive.

You might say: 

Je peux parler français si tu veux = I can speak French if you want 

Je dois parler français plus souvent I must speak French more often

Je vais parler français tous les jours = I am going to speak French every day

Hope this helps!

Pouvoir + infinitive form

Bonjour,

I have a question about saying pouvoir + infinitive of a verb. For example: Je peux parler Francais. Why does this translate to "I can speak French" when the verb Parker means TO speak? Wouldn't it translate to "I can to speak French"? Or do we always use the infinitive to express capabilities? What else would we use the infinitive form for? Merci beacoup!

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...