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Work Unit Twenty-One: Quiero ser rico |
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Uses of the Infinitive
By now you've probably learned that the basic form of the
verb is known as the infinitive, and it is the verb form that ends in -ar,
-er or -ir. In this lesson you will learn a number of ways
you can use the infinitive and thus vastly expand the circumstances in
which you can use them.
Assignment
Complete the lesson on pages 225-32 of the textbook.
To hear how the days of the month are pronounced, please listen to
the audio
lesson, which also gives some more information on the rules for conjugating
irregular verbs.
Be sure to complete the exercises. Although copyright rules and fairness
to other students using this book prevent me from publishing all the answers,
you can check the answer page to see an answer
to the first question in each section to help get you started. If you have
any questions, feel free to ask them on the bulletin
board.
Background
You may not have thought it much before reading this lesson, but we use
the infinitive form of verbs quite often in English. In English the form
is represented by "to" followed by the verb form. Thus "to go," "to eat,"
and "to swim" are all English infinitives. In Spanish, the infinitive is
the basic, unconjugated form of the verb, always ending in -ar,
-er
or -ir.
This lesson focuses on the complementary infinitive, cases where the
infinitive gramatically fulfills a function similar to the object of a
preposition or verb. You should read the examples in the book carefully,
as they cover the most common ways in which infinitives are used. However,
infinitives can also be used in other ways, often functioning as a noun.
When used as nouns, infinitives take masculine adjectives and articles.
Usually, infinitives are translated as English infinitives; however, sometimes
they are translated as conjugated verbs in English or as the "-ing" form
of verbs.
The following chart shows some of the different ways, including those
explained in the text, in which infinitives are used in Spanish. Although
you don't at this point need to learn all the ways, it is helpful to be
able to familiarize yourself with them to help you when you're reading
or conversing in Spanish. Thist list isn't exhaustive, but it covers the uses
you're most likely to come across.
| as the subect of a sentence |
El leer es importante. Reading is important (or,
to
read is important). Note: Infinitives when used as nouns are masculine; use of
el or la preceding the infinitive is often optional.) |
| after verbs of obligation |
Debo salir a casa. I ought to leave for home. |
| after verbs of desire or intent |
Quisiera viajar a la casa de mi madre. I would like to
travel to my mother's house. |
| after verbs indicating ability |
No puedo nadar. I can't swim (or, I am unable
to
swim.). |
| after tener que ("to have to") or hay que ("it is necessary to"). |
Tiene que trabajar mucho. She has to work much. Hay que
comer. It is necessary to eat. |
| after a verb of motion followed by a |
Voy a comprar una bicicleta. I am going to buy
a bicycle. Vino aquí a comer. He came here to eat. |
| after verbs of the senses |
Te oí hablar. I heard you talking. ¿Me viste nadar? Did
you see me swimming? |
| as the object of de |
Tengo miedo de volar. I am afraid of flying (or,
I am afraid to fly). |
| as the object of para |
Vivimos para comer. We live to eat. |
| as the object of por |
Vivimos por comer. We live by eating. |
| as the object of sin |
Habla sin pensar. He speaks without thinking. |
| after al in the sense of "upon" to indicate vague causality |
Al ver la casa, lloró. Upon seeing the house, he cried. |
| in impersonal commands of prohibition |
No fumar. No smoking. |
Coming up
In the next lesson we'll learm study another
part of speech that can serve as the object of a preposition — pronouns.
Next page > Sample Answers > Page 1, 2
