Usage
Spanish infinitives are used in many ways:
1. As the Subject of a Sentence
- Leer es divertido. — Reading is fun.
- Fumar está prohibido. — Smoking is prohibited.
2. After Certain Verbs
Some verbs are followed directly by an infinitive:
- Quiero salir. — I want to leave.
- Necesito estudiar. — I need to study.
3. After Prepositions
The infinitive always follows prepositions:
- Voy a cerrar la puerta. — I’m going to close the door.
- Antes de comer, lavo las manos. — Before eating, I wash my hands.
4. To Express Purpose
- Estudio para aprender. — I study in order to learn.
- Trabajo mucho para viajar. — I work a lot to travel.
5. In Impersonal Expressions
- Es importante beber agua. — It’s important to drink water.
- Hay que guardar silencio. — One must be quiet.
Examples
| Spanish Sentence |
|---|
| Saltar es divertido. |
| English Translation |
| Usage |
| Infinitive as subject |
Summary
- Spanish infinitives end in -ar, -er, or -ir.
- They are used as subjects, after certain verbs, after prepositions, and to express purpose.
- They correspond to the English "to" form of the verb.
- Always use the infinitive form in these contexts without conjugating.
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Last updated: Thu Jul 17, 2025