What is the purpose of “de” in...

Question

...“et de lui acheter”. It seems to function like “et en lui acheter”, but for some reason “de” is the correct choice here.

Maarten Kamp · Accepted Answer

Fixed expression 'avoir l'intention de ' - fixed expressions are often best learnt as such rather than necessarily attempting word for word translation.
In this case:
"J'ai l'intention de le gater et .... de lui acheter .... "   - "I intend/mean to spoil him and ... buy him (des bonbons)...". The 'de' needs to be repeated before each infinitive that forms part of the statement 'avoir l'intention de'.
I don't think 'en' would fit here even without the need for 'de'- at this stage of the story, the 'them' she plans to buy 'some of' is not known

Chris Wirt · Answer

It comes from: j'ai l'intention de le gâter et de lui acheter des bonbons.
So, it belongs to the phrase avoir l'intention de...

Maarten Kamp · Answer

Chris and I strike again at the same moment!

Brian Earl · Answer

Ahhh - great explanations - thanks to both of you :)