Verbos + el infinitivo

Infinitivos verbs that are not conjugated end in –ar, -er, or –ir

Infinitivos Many verbs are followed by a preposition before continuing the sentence with an infinitive

Prepociones comunes: a—to de—of, from con—with en—in, on para – for the purpose of, in order to por – for, by

Reglas: el infinitivo con “a” The preposition “a” is required before any infinitive that follows a verb of Beginning Movement Teaching/learning helping

Reglas: el infinitivo con “a” Beginning: Comenzar a – to begin to Empezar a – to begin to Movement: Ir a – to go to Correr a – to run to Venir a – to come to Teaching/Learning: Enseñar a – to teach to Aprender a – to learn to Helping: Ayudar a – to help (to)

Reglas: el infinitivo con “a” Comienzan a cantar. They begin to sing. Corren a cerrar las ventanas. They run to close the windows. Aprendemos a hablar español. We’re learning to speak Spanish. Ella me ayuda a bailar. She helps me (to) dance.

Reglas: el infinitivo con “de” The preposition “de” is required before any infinitive that comes after one of the following four verbs: Acabar de – to have just Cesar de – to stop Dejar de – to quit, to stop Tratar de – to try to Note: Olvidar is frequently followed by “de” when it is not reflexive: Olvidar de – to forget to Olvidarse – to forget to

Reglas: el infinitivo con “de” Acaban de cenar. They have just eaten dinner. Cesó de llover. It stopped raining. Juan dejó de darme el dinero. Juan stopped giving me money. Trataron de llamarme. They tried to call me.

Reglas: el infinitivo con “de” Olvidé de hacer la tarea. I forgot to do the homework. Se me olvidé hacer la tarea. I forgot to do the homework.

Reglas: sin preposición The following verbs are used without a preposition before an infinitive: Deber – ought to, must Dejar – to let, allow, leave Desear – to wish, desire Esperar – to hope, expect to Necesitar – to need Oír – to hear Pensar – to think, plan or intend to Poder – to be able to Preferir – to prefer Prometer – to promise Querer – to want Saber – to know (information)

Reglas: sin preposición Debes hacer la tarea. You should do the homework. Pienso ir al cine. I’m planning to go to the movies

Otros verbos con preposiciones soñar con—to dream about Insistir en – to insist on, insist upon Sueño con ser astronauta. I dream about being an astronaut. El profesor insiste en darnos examenes. The teacher insists on giving us tests.

If a verb is normally followed by the subjunctive, but DOESN’T have a “que” you must use the infinitive Quiero salir contigo esta noche. I want to go out with you tonight. Quiero que tu salgas conmigo esta noche. I want you to go out with me tonight.