je vois l'architecte arriver

WhiteA2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

je vois l'architecte arriver

Bonjour - Can someone explain the grammaire for  "je vois l'architecte arriver"?  Why is "arriver" an infinitive?  Merci!

Asked 1 year ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi White, 

Just to add to what has already been said, please take a look at Aurélie's answer to a similar question.

Maybe the problem is because 'l'architecte' (COD) is before the second verb arriver?

It could have been -

Je vois arriver l'architecte

https://french.kwiziq.com/questions/view/deux-verbes-en-une-sentance

Hope this helps!

JimC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi White,

I haven't listened to the exercise but have noted the title and words of the introduction.

"Je vois l'architecte arriver" --> I see the architect coming or arriving.

Je - subject pronoun first person singular

Vois - first person singular conjugation of voir

L'architecte - direct object of voir

Arriver - verb infinitive, intransitive usage

Hope this helps.

Bonne continuation.

Jim

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

He vois l'architecte arriver. -- I see the architect arrive.

In French, the infinitive can be used in this way to stand for an action that's happening right now, concurrently with the other action mentioned in the sentence (je vois).

N. Hilary (Shamrockhill)C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Bonjour White,

I think the confusion comes from the difference in how we would express this in English:   "...I see the architect arriving..."

The lesson below may help. It explains the use of the infinitive in French where we use the "-ing" form of the verb in English:

Translating the -ing form of verbs with L'Infinitif (not -ant) (lawlessfrench.com)

If this link doesn't work, just go to: Library then Click on A2 and look under:

Verb tenses and conjugaisons.

Hope this helps.

je vois l'architecte arriver

Bonjour - Can someone explain the grammaire for  "je vois l'architecte arriver"?  Why is "arriver" an infinitive?  Merci!

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
Let me take a look at that...