12.1.5

Infinitives

Test yourself

Infinitives

Infinitives are one of the key building blocks of Spanish grammar.

Illustrative background for Infinitives explainedIllustrative background for Infinitives explained ?? "content

Infinitives explained

  • An infinitive phrase is a verb form that typically begins with the word ‘to’ in English, e.g. 'to swim'.
  • Infinitives in Spanish end in AR, ER, or IR:
    • Bailar = to dance.
    • Comer = to eat.
    • Vivir = to live.
  • A sentence in Spanish may begin with: 'para continuar', or 'para cantar', meaning 'in order to continue', 'in order to sing'.
  • There are also set phrases (called 'dichos', in Spanish) with the infinitive, e.g. 'es decir' or 'por decir', meaning 'that is to say'.
Illustrative background for Infinitives continuedIllustrative background for Infinitives continued ?? "content

Infinitives continued

  • An infinitive is often used after a conjugated verb:
    • 'Voy a hacer algo' (I am going to do something) - 'voy' is the conjugated verb (I am going), and 'hacer' is the infinitive (to do).
    • 'Quiero hablar contigo' (I want to speak to you) - 'quiero' is the conjugated verb (I want), and 'hablar' is the infinitive (to speak).
  • However, you can also follow a conjugated verb with the gerund ('ing' words), e.g. 'estamos haciendo' (we are making).
Illustrative background for Infinitives continued Illustrative background for Infinitives continued  ?? "content

Infinitives continued

  • You can use the infinitive as a noun too, e.g.
    • 'Bailar tango es difícil' (dancing the tango is difficult) - 'bailar', as the infinitive, acts as a noun.
    • 'Lo hice sin pensar' (I did it without thinking) - 'pensar' acts as the noun.

Jump to other topics

1Phonics/Alphabet/Spellings

2You, Family & Home

3School & Jobs

4Town, Shopping, Food, Drink

5Free Time

6Holiday

7The World Around Us

8Present Tense

9Past Tense

10Future Tense

11Conditional

12Grammar

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson