Using Infinitives after Other Verbs with a Change of Subject

An infinitive that follows a conjugated verb usually has the same subject as the first verb (see the listing of other lessons on infinitives). However, there are two main types of sentences where the infinitive can have a different subject:

Following verbs of influence: A verb of allowing, influencing, prohibiting or obliging — and similar verbs such as those involving requests — can be followed by an infinitive that represents action of someone other than the subject of the sentence. An indirect object is used to indicate who was asked to perform (or not) the action. These sentences are similar in structure to equivalent sentences in English.

Examples: María me dejó entrar. (María allowed me to enter.) Los mandamos escribir la carta. (We required them to write the letter.) Te prohibo fumar. (I forbid you to smoke.) Ella me hace hacerlo. (She made me do it.) Me dijo salir. (She told me to leave.)

Following verbs of observation: After verbs of observation — the most common are ver (to see) and oír (to hear) — the infinitive can be used to describe already completed action by someone other than the main subject of the sentence. These sentences in Spanish are structured much the same as those in the examples immediately above; the person performing the action of the second verb is indicated by an indirect object. In English, the infinitive cannot be used this way. Typically, the equivalent English sentence would or could use the gerund (the "-ing" form of the verb).

Examples: Te vi salir. (I saw you leave.) ¿Me oíste cantar? (Did you hear me sing?) Violeta te miraba dormir. (Violeta watched you sleep.)