French: Using -ing Forms as Subjects (e.g., 'Swimming is good exercise')
Learn to express activities as subjects in French using the infinitive, with examples like 'Nager est bon pour la santé.'
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In English, we often use -ing forms as the subject of a sentence: 'Swimming is good exercise.' French does not have a direct equivalent. Instead, it uses the infinitive form of the verb. This lesson teaches you how to form sentences where an activity is the subject, such as 'Nager est bon pour la santé' (Swimming is good for health). You will learn the pattern, common expressions, and how to avoid typical mistakes.
By the end, you can…
- use the infinitive form of a French verb as the subject of a sentence.
- translate English -ing subjects into natural French using infinitives.
- form negative and question sentences with infinitive subjects.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
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Nager est bon pour la santé.
Swimming is good for health.
nah-ZHAY eh bohn poor lah sahn-TAY
General statement about swimming as a healthy activity.
Lire est important.
Reading is important.
LEER eh ta(n)-por-AHN
Expressing the importance of reading as a general truth.
Fumer est mauvais pour les poumons.
Smoking is bad for the lungs.
foo-MAY eh moh-VEH poor lay poo-MOHN
Warning about the dangers of smoking.
Apprendre le français est amusant.
Learning French is fun.
ah-prahn-druh luh frahn-SEH eh ta-moo-ZAHN
Expressing enjoyment of learning French.
Danser est mon passe-temps préféré.
Dancing is my favorite hobby.
dahn-SAY eh mohn pahs-tahn pray-fay-RAY
Talking about a favorite activity.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To express an activity as the subject, use the infinitive form of the verb. For example, 'Nager' (to swim) becomes the subject in 'Nager est bon pour la santé.' Other examples: 'Lire est important' (Reading is important), 'Fumer est mauvais' (Smoking is bad). The infinitive is invariable and acts like a noun. You can also use 'Le' before the infinitive for emphasis: 'Le nager est bon' but this is less common and often stylistic.
When to use it
Use this structure for general statements, opinions, or truths about activities. For instance, 'Courir est bon pour le cœur' (Running is good for the heart). It is common in proverbs, advice, and formal writing. In everyday speech, French speakers might prefer a different structure, such as using 'C'est' + adjective + 'de' + infinitive: 'C'est bon de nager' (It's good to swim). However, the infinitive as subject is perfectly correct and widely understood.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Qu'est-ce que tu aimes comme sport ?
What sport do you like?kess-kuh too em kohm sporJ'aime nager. Nager est relaxant.
I like swimming. Swimming is relaxing.zhem nah-ZHAY. nah-ZHAY eh ruh-lahk-SAHNMoi, je préfère courir. Courir est bon pour la santé.
Me, I prefer running. Running is good for health.mwah, zhuh pray-FAIR koo-REER. koo-REER eh bohn poor lah sahn-TAYC'est vrai. Mais danser est aussi amusant.
That's true. But dancing is also fun.seh VREH. meh dahn-SAY eh oh-SEE ah-moo-ZAHNA little context goes a long way
In French, using the infinitive as subject is standard and neutral in register. It is common in written and formal contexts. In casual conversation, speakers often use 'C'est' + adjective + 'de' + infinitive instead, which can sound more natural. For example, 'C'est amusant de danser' is more colloquial than 'Danser est amusant.' Both are correct, but the former is more frequent in speech.
One thing to watch for
Using the present participle (e.g., 'Nageant') as the subject, influenced by English -ing.
Try this instead: French does not use the present participle as a subject. Use the infinitive: 'Nager est bon' not 'Nageant est bon.' The present participle is used differently, e.g., 'En nageant, il a perdu du poids' (By swimming, he lost weight).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Translate: 'Reading is important.'
Show a sample answer
Lire est important.
The infinitive 'lire' is used as the subject. 'Important' agrees with the subject, which is masculine singular. Alternative: 'C'est important de lire' is also correct but less direct.
2Translate: 'Smoking is bad for health.'
Show a sample answer
Fumer est mauvais pour la santé.
Infinitive 'fumer' as subject. 'Mauvais' is masculine singular. You could also say 'C'est mauvais de fumer' but the infinitive subject is more formal.
3Make negative: 'Danser est amusant.'
Show a sample answer
Danser n'est pas amusant.
Negation wraps around the verb 'est': 'ne...pas'. The subject remains the infinitive 'danser'. Alternative: 'Ce n'est pas amusant de danser' is also correct.
In French, use the infinitive (not -ing) as the subject of a sentence: 'Nager est bon pour la santé.' Remember that the present participle is not used this way.
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