avoir + à + infinitive
In French, a common construction is avoir followed by a noun or pronoun, then à, and finally a verb in the infinitive. This structure is used when the verb in the infinitive serves to explain or describe the noun or pronoun that comes after avoir. In this case, the à functions like a relative connector, linking the noun or pronoun to the action it is involved in.
This construction is often used to express availability, necessity, or purpose related to an object, task, or abstract idea. It is not related to devoir and does not indicate obligation. The à is required grammatically in this structure.
Common examples with ‘avoir quelque chose à’
J’ai quelque chose à dire.
I have something to say.
Elle a quelque chose à te montrer.
She has something to show you.
Nous avons quelque chose à fêter.
We have something to celebrate.
Tu as quelque chose à ajouter ?
Do you have something to add?
Ils ont quelque chose à cacher.
They have something to hide.
With ‘rien’, ‘tout’, and ‘beaucoup de choses’
Je n’ai rien à déclarer.
I have nothing to declare.
Tu n’as rien à te reprocher.
You have nothing to reproach yourself for.
Il y a tout à gagner.
There is everything to gain.
Elle a beaucoup de choses à faire.
She has many things to do.
Nous avons encore tout à apprendre.
We still have everything to learn.
With people or pronouns as the noun
J’ai un ami à aller voir.
I have a friend to go and see.
Elle a une sœur à aider.
She has a sister to help.
Il a un client à appeler.
He has a client to call.
J’ai quelqu’un à prévenir.
I have someone to inform.
Tu n’as personne à blâmer.
You have no one to blame.
In passive-like or descriptive uses
C’est un problème à résoudre.
It is a problem to solve.
Il y a une tâche à accomplir.
There is a task to accomplish.
Voici un exemple à suivre.
Here is an example to follow.
Ce sont des mots à retenir.
These are words to remember.
Un lit à faire, une pièce à nettoyer.
A bed to make, a room to clean.
Use with verbs and implied meaning
The noun plus à + infinitive can describe the function or expected action involving that noun.
Une lettre à poster.
A letter to post.
Un film à regarder.
A film to watch.
Un travail à terminer.
A job to finish.
Une valise à préparer.
A suitcase to pack.
Important notes
- The infinitive that follows à always relates directly to the noun or pronoun before it, not to the subject of avoir alone.
- This construction is different from avoir besoin de or avoir envie de, where de is used instead of à, and the meaning is different.
- When a relative clause could be introduced by que in English (something that I have to do), French often prefers à + infinitive.
J’ai un examen à passer.
I have an exam to sit (that I have to sit).
Il a une maison à vendre.
He has a house to sell (that is for sale).
C’est un dossier à compléter.
It is a file to complete (that needs completing).
