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Spanish Grammar: Verbs
Infinitives Defined
The infinitive, el infinitivo, is an abstract noun derived from a verb. It is the name of the verb, and expresses the idea which it conveys in a very general manner. Grammatically, it is a noun and is treated as such in the sentence. Unlike nouns, in cases where it is modified, it requires adverbs or adverbial phrases as modifiers.
To find the infinitive for any English verb, just fill in the blank in this sentence:
"I like to............. (read, walk, run, etc.")
The infinitive in English is usually preceded by the word "to."
She likes to read.
He likes to walk.
I like to run.
The Spanish infinitive is characterized by three endings, namely:
1) AR for all verbs that belong to the so-called first conjugation: cantar, hablar, empezar, amar, etc.
2) ER for all verbs that belong to the so-called second conjugation: correr, beber, tener, haber, ser, etc.
3) IR for all verbs that belong to the so-called third conjugation: partir, dormir, escribir, sentir, etc.
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Uses of Infinitives
Infinitives generally present few difficulties to the student of Spanish. With some minor exceptions, infinitives are used in Spanish in the same way that they are used in English.
A. The infinitive is used after many verbs. In most cases, it follows the verb directly; in others, it is preceded by a preposition.
1. An infinitive governed directly by the preceding verb is known as a complementary infinitive. The common verbs listed below govern the infinitive directly, without the use of a preposition.
creer - (to believe)
deber - (ought to, should)
desear - (to wish, desire)
esperar - (to hope)
necesitar - (to need)
pensar - (to intend to)
poder - (to be able, can)
prometer - (to promise)
querer - (to wish, want)
saber - (to know how to)
sentir - (to regret, be sorry)
temer - (to fear)
Creo ver la diferencia.
I believe I see the difference.
Ellos saben cocer.
They know how to cook.
Prometió ir pronto.
She promised to go soon.
Teme beber el agua.
He is afraid to drink the water.
¿Puede Ud. ayudarme?
Can you help me?
2. The verbs below require the preposition a before a following infinitive.
(a) Verbs of beginning, motion, teaching and learning:
comenzar - (to begin)
empezar - (to begin)
principiar - (to begin)
ponerse - (to begin)
correr - (to run)
llegar - (to arrive)
ir - (to go)
salir - (to go out)
aprender - (to learn)
venir - (to come)
enseñar - (to teach)
El niño empezó a llorar.
The child began to cry.
Salió a saludarlos.
He went out to greet them.
(b) Several other common verbs that take the preposition a are:
apresurarse - (to hasten, hurry)
decidirse - (to decide)
ayudar - (to help)
invitar - (to invite)
Juan aprende a leer.
John is learning to read.
Le/Lo invité a visitarme.
I invited him to visit me.
3. The following verbs require the preposition de before the infinitive:
acabar - (to have just)
dejar - (to cease, stop, fail)
acordarse - (to remember)
olvidarse - (to forget)
alegrarse - (to be glad to)
tratar - (to try)
cesar - (to cease, stop)
Me acordaré de traerlo.
I shall remember to bring it.
Trató de esconderse.
He tried to hide.
Mi padre se ha olvidado de traer la carta.
My father has forgotten to bring the letter.
La lluvia cesó de caer.
The rain stopped falling.
NOTE: Acabar de when used in the present tense means to have just; in the imperfect, it means had just.
Acabo de despertarme.
I have just awakened.
Acababa de despertarme.
I had just awakened.
4. The following verbs take the preposition en before the infinitive:
consentir - (to consent to)
insistir - (to insist)
consistir - (to consist of)
tardar - (to delay, to be late or long)
Tardaron en venir
They were late in coming.
Consentí en tocar el piano.
I consented to play the piano.
El trabajo consiste en construir un puente.
The work consists of building a bridge.
B. A verb that follows any preposition must be in the infinitive.
Trabajamos para vivir.
We work in order to live.
Castigaron a José por haber robado.
They punished Joseph for having stolen.
Murió antes de decírnoslo.
He died before telling it to us.
C. The infinitive is used after verbs of perception, such as ver,
oír, escuchar, etc.
Le escuché leer en voz alta.
I listened to him read aloud.
Oyeron sonar la campanilla.
They heard the bell ring.
D. Many nouns and adjectives require the preposition de when
they are followed by an infinitive.
Tiene esperanzas de ser rico.
He has hopes of being rich.
Tenía la intención de casarse.
He intended to marry.
Esta novela es fácil de comprender.
This novel is easy to understand.
E. The infinitive may be used as a noun.
(El) nadar es bueno para la salud.
Swimming is healthful.
(El) saber una lengua extranjera es muy importante.
Knowing a foreign language is very important.