I can't find a lesson that explains why, for instance, there is no need for a preposition following the conjugated verb espérer in a sentence such as: "J'espère ne pas faire d'erreurs," whereas a sentence such as "il m'a appris à ne pas avoir faire" requires the "à" after the conjugated verb apprendre, just as "le professeur dit de ne pas parler" requries the "de" after dire.
I feel stuck with this problem and would appreciate someone's help.
Thanks so much! Kalpana
A difficult area to come to grips with ! Don’t look for reasons why, just try to focus on which verbs need the preposition, and which preposition they need.
Basically, there are some French verbs that require a preposition following them before a noun or infinitive. Some use à, others de, some both and sometimes this changes the meaning - there is no general way to predict which verbs and which preposition.
It is a matter of learning/acquiring this as you go along and encounter verbs in context, just as the gender of a noun needs to be learnt/acquired together with the noun itself. Trying to learn lists out of context is very difficult and an unnatural way to acquire a language. There are however many lists of verbs and preposition online to use for reference or to get you started and the following links are good :
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/verbs-with-a/
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/verbs-with-de/
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/a-vs-de-2/
I can't find a lesson that explains why, for instance, there is no need for a preposition following the conjugated verb espérer in a sentence such as: "J'espère ne pas faire d'erreurs," whereas a sentence such as "il m'a appris à ne pas avoir faire" requires the "à" after the conjugated verb apprendre, just as "le professeur dit de ne pas parler" requries the "de" after dire.
I feel stuck with this problem and would appreciate someone's help.
Thanks so much! Kalpana
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