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In Spanish, the infinitive is the basic form of the verb. It can be used not only as a verb but also as a noun.
Definition of 'Infinitive'
Glossary definition of "infinitive" with examples in Spanish and English.
Using Infinitives after Verbs
The Spanish infinitive is used quite frequently after conjugated verbs, and sometimes in a way that has no direct equivalent in English.
Using Infinitives as Nouns
In Spanish, the infinitive form of the verb is often used as a noun. It can be used as a subject, object or predicate nominative.
Using 'A' After Verbs Before Infinitives
Some verbs require the preposition a when used before an infinitive in Spanish. Here is a list of some of the most common such verbs.
Using Infinitives after Verbs with a Change of Subject
An infinitive that follows a conjugated verb usually has the same subject as the first verb. However, there are two main types of sentences where the infinitive can have a different subject.
Using Infinitives after Prepositions
One of the most common uses of infinitives is as the object of a preposition. When used in such a way, the infinitive is often the rough equivalent of the English gerund, that is, the "-ing" form of the verb, and can be translated in that way.
'Al' Followed by an Infinitive
In Spanish, using the contraction 'al' followed by an infinitive is a very common way of indicating when something happens.

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