il faut + infinitive
il faut: one must
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il faut: one must
il faut + infinitive marks necessity, with no person on the verb: Il faut partir. Il ne faut pas fumer.
Examples in context
Read the examples and compare their English meanings.
General Necessity
Use to state a general rule.
Il faut partir.
It is necessary to leave.
Prohibition
Add 'ne... pas' around faut for prohibitions.
Il ne faut pas fumer ici.
It is not allowed to smoke here.
Common mix-ups
Use an infinitive directly after il faut, or que followed by the subjunctive: il faut que je parte.
It is necessary to leave.
Try a reply
Say or write your answer in French before opening the example.
It is necessary to book. Use il faut.
Show one possible answer
Il faut réserver.
Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.
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Related grammar
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