Verb + Infinitive Patterns
Many Spanish verbs are followed directly by infinitives without prepositions.
Modal Verbs + Infinitive
Modal verbs are directly followed by infinitives:
Puedo hablar español.
I can speak Spanish.
Debes estudiar más.
You should study more.
Quiere viajar a México.
He wants to travel to Mexico.
Sabemos cocinar.
We know how to cook.
Tengo que trabajar.
I have to work.
Other Verbs + Infinitive
Common verbs that take infinitives directly:
Espero verte pronto.
I hope to see you soon.
Necesita descansar.
He needs to rest.
Prefiero caminar.
I prefer to walk.
Suele llegar tarde.
He usually arrives late.
Acaba de llegar.
He just arrived.
Vuelve a intentar.
Try again.
Preposition + Infinitive
Many Spanish constructions require specific prepositions before infinitives.
A + Infinitive
Common verbs and expressions that require 'a' before infinitives:
Voy a estudiar.
I'm going to study.
Aprende a cocinar.
He's learning to cook.
Ayuda a limpiar.
Help clean.
Empieza a llover.
It's starting to rain.
Se dedica a enseñar.
He dedicates himself to teaching.
Invita a cenar.
He invites to dinner.
De + Infinitive
Verbs and expressions that require 'de' before infinitives:
Acaba de llegar.
He just arrived.
Trata de entender.
Try to understand.
Se olvida de llamar.
He forgets to call.
Deja de fumar.
Stop smoking.
Se alegra de verte.
He's happy to see you.
Tiene ganas de viajar.
He feels like traveling.
En + Infinitive
Less common but important uses of 'en' with infinitives:
Insiste en pagar.
He insists on paying.
Piensa en viajar.
He's thinking about traveling.
Se especializa en enseñar.
He specializes in teaching.
Tarda en llegar.
He takes time to arrive.
Infinitive as Subject or Object
Infinitives can function as subjects or objects in Spanish sentences.
Infinitive as Subject
Infinitives can serve as the subject of a sentence:
Estudiar es importante.
Studying is important.
Viajar me gusta mucho.
I really like traveling.
Cocinar es mi pasión.
Cooking is my passion.
Leer ayuda a aprender.
Reading helps learning.
Caminar es bueno para la salud.
Walking is good for health.
Infinitive as Object
Infinitives can serve as direct objects:
Me gusta bailar.
I like to dance.
Prefiero caminar.
I prefer to walk.
Odia trabajar los domingos.
He hates working on Sundays.
Ama cocinar.
She loves to cook.
Detesta madrugar.
He detests getting up early.
Special Infinitive Constructions
Unique Spanish constructions using infinitives.
Al + Infinitive
'Al' + infinitive expresses 'upon' or 'when' doing something:
Al llegar, me llamó.
Upon arriving, he called me.
Al verla, sonrió.
When he saw her, he smiled.
Al terminar, se fue.
Upon finishing, he left.
Al despertar, desayuno.
When I wake up, I have breakfast.
Para + Infinitive
'Para' + infinitive expresses purpose (in order to):
Estudio para aprender.
I study in order to learn.
Trabajo para vivir.
I work in order to live.
Ahorro para viajar.
I save in order to travel.
Corro para estar en forma.
I run to stay in shape.
Sin + Infinitive
'Sin' + infinitive means 'without' doing something:
Se fue sin decir adiós.
He left without saying goodbye.
Comió sin hablar.
He ate without speaking.
Trabaja sin descansar.
He works without resting.
Vive sin preocuparse.
He lives without worrying.