Question 1

The current lesson is about using après with the past infinitive. Why do we use avant de with the present infinitive (fuir) here instead?

Accepted Answer

In French, avant (before) and après (after) follow different grammatical rules when a verb comes next. You must use avant de + [present infinitive], like avant de fuir (before fleeing). But for 'after', you use après + [past infinitive], which would be après avoir fui (after fleeing / after having fled).

Question 2

Why is 'searched' translated as a fouillé instead of a cherché?

Accepted Answer

Chercher means to look for something that is lost or missing. Fouiller means to search through or to rummage in a physical space, like a bag, a room, or even frisking a person. Since the thief is physically rummaging through the bag, fouiller is the required verb here.

Question 3

If I wanted to rewrite this sentence to say 'After fleeing, the thief...', how would I form the past infinitive of fuir?

Accepted Answer

The past participle of the irregular verb fuir (to flee) is fui. Because it takes avoir as its auxiliary verb, you would apply the rule from this lesson to make après avoir fui (after fleeing).

Question 4

As a quick refresher on possession, why can't we say la victime's sac?

Accepted Answer

French does not have an equivalent to the English apostrophe-s ('s) to show ownership. Instead, you must always use the structure 'the item of the owner'. Therefore, 'the victim's bag' becomes le sac de la victime.

Avant de fuir, le voleur a fouillé le sac de la victime.

Breakdown of Avant de fuir, le voleur a fouillé le sac de la victime.

Questions & Answers about Avant de fuir, le voleur a fouillé le sac de la victime.

Learn Avant de fuir, le voleur a fouillé le sac de la victime and more in French