Infinitives and perfect infinitivesHow to form and use a perfect infinitive

The perfect or past infinitive refers to something that has happened in the past and it is formed using avoir or être (in their infinitive form) with a past participle.

It is used commonly with après to indicate a past event. For example:

• après avoir mangé, on est allés en ville - after having eaten, we went into town
• après être arrivé, il a parlé à tout le monde - after arriving he spoke to everyone
• elle s’est habillée après s’être lavée - she got dressed, after having a wash