In English, we often link verbs with the word "to" (as in, "I am learning to block"). In French, when two verbs are strung together, the first verb determines which preposition—if any—connects them.
Many common verbs require the preposition à before a following infinitive. Because there is no simple rule for which verbs take à, it is best to memorize them as set phrases. Common examples include commencer à (to start to), apprendre à (to learn to), and s'habituer à (to get used to).
| He is starting to understand the technique. | Il commence à comprendre la technique. |
| We are learning to respect the discipline in judo. | Nous apprenons à respecter la discipline au judo. |
| You must get used to falling on the mat. | Tu dois t'habituer à tomber sur le tapis. |
Managing Techniques
When practicing martial arts and trying to land or avoid a blow (le coup), you will often use the verb parvenir à (to manage to / to succeed in).
| The boy manages to dodge the blow. | Le garçon parvient à esquiver le coup. |
Influencing Others
When you push someone else to do something, use verbs like forcer à (to force to) or encourager à (to encourage to).
If the person being influenced is represented by an object pronoun (like me, le, or les), remember that it must go before the conjugated verb.
| The opponent forces me to block. | L'adversaire me force à bloquer. |
| My father encourages me to practice karate. | Mon père m'encourage à pratiquer le karaté. |
| The teacher encourages them to continue judo. | Le professeur les encourage à continuer le judo. |
| Do not force him to attack. | Ne le force pas à attaquer. |
