Question 1

Why does French use the infinitive faire here when the English translation says 'doing'?

Accepted Answer

In English, we often use the '-ing' form after prepositions like 'before' (before doing). In French, prepositions like de are almost always followed by the infinitive. So, avant de faire functions like 'before to do' in English.

Question 2

Could I just say avant faire la vaisselle without the de?

Accepted Answer

No, when 'before' is followed by an action (a verb), you must use the set phrase avant de. If you were using a noun instead of a verb, you would just use avant on its own, such as avant le repas (before the meal).

Question 3

The tap was fixed in the past (a réparé). Why isn't the verb for doing the dishes in a past tense too?

Accepted Answer

The phrase avant de locks the next verb into the infinitive form (faire), regardless of when the event happened. The first verb (a réparé) already establishes that this whole situation took place in the past, so the infinitive just piggybacks on that timeline.

Question 4

What if he fixed the tap before someone else did the dishes? Would we still use avant de?

Accepted Answer

No. You can only use avant de + infinitive when the exact same person is performing both actions. If the subjects are different (e.g., 'He fixed the tap before she did the dishes'), you have to use avant que followed by the subjunctive mood: avant qu'elle fasse la vaisselle.

Question 5

Why use faire (to do/make) instead of a verb like laver (to wash) for the dishes?

Accepted Answer

Faire la vaisselle is the standard, fixed expression in French for 'doing the dishes' or 'washing up'. While you might occasionally hear laver la vaisselle, using faire is much more natural and common.

Il a réparé le robinet avant de faire la vaisselle.

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