Verb + de + infinitive
refuser
deno prepositionà
The constructions
derefuser de + infinitif
Meaning : to refuse to do
Il refuse de répondre aux journalistes.
Do not writeIl refuse à répondre aux journalistes.
no prepositionrefuser quelque chose
Meaning : to turn something down
Elle a refusé le poste.
àse refuser à + infinitif
Meaning : to refuse to bring oneself to do, formal
Je me refuse à croire une chose pareille.
Why
Refuser de is the everyday form before an infinitive. Before a noun, refuser is direct. Se refuser à, pronominal, takes à and belongs to a formal register: it is the only case where this verb takes à.
Read the full lesson : Prepositions: place, time, and verb + à, de or infinitive →