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Infinitivo

Spanish infinitive

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA
Last updated: 2022-12-17

The infinitive (el infinitivo) is the basic form of a verb that you find when you look it up in a dictionary. 

Three types of verbs based on their infinitive form

In Spanish there are only three possible endings for the infinitives:

Infinitive ending in -ar

hablar, caminar, cantar...

Infinitive ending in -er

comer, beber, aprender...

Infinitive ending in -ir

vivir, dormir, sentir...

 

Lessons with more detail on Infinitivo

Using poder in the present perfect and the preterite for "could" in past actions
Using antes de /después de [noun/infinitive] for before/after [something/doing something]
Using Spanish conjunction al + infinitive/perfect infinitive = when doing/ because of doing [something]
Using the infinitive after prepositions in Spanish (not present participle)
Using Spanish infinitives as nouns with the definite article El
Using acabar/terminar + [infinitive/present participle] = to end up doing something in Spanish (perífrasis verbal)
Using poder to say could [do something] for polite requests and suggestions in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
Empezar/comenzar a = to begin/start doing something (perífrasis verbal)
Using the infinitive (not the gerund) as the subject/object of the verb
Using the infinitive to express a request/command/give instructions in Spanish
Position of Spanish reflexive and direct object pronouns with infinitive/present participle and affirmative commands
Spanish impersonal statements followed by the infinitive or by the subjunctive with que
Verbs ver, oír, escuchar + infinitive/gerund
Using hacer/mandar + infinitive in Spanish for "to have something done"
Using Spanish verb venir a + infinitive to indicate approximation/end of a process (perífrasis verbal)
Spanish verb Pensar + infinitive to express intention
Using hacer with subjunctive/infinitive for to make [someone] do something in Spanish
Spanish relative clauses using the infinitive
Using antes de /después de/luego de [noun/infinitive] for before/after [something/doing something] (LatAm)
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