Infinitives

Using Infinitives After Conjugated Verbs
Learn how infinitives are used immediately following conjugated verbs in Spanish.

Perfect Infinitive
Definintion of 'perfect infinitive' with an example of how one is used in Spanish and English.

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.