VERB + INFINITIVE EXPRESSIONS
VERB + INFINITIVE

Sentence structure:
(subject)+one conjugated verb+an unconjugated verb
 Ejemplo: (Yo) Quiero nadar.
 Inglés: I want to swim.


Conjugated verb = the main (current) action of
the sentence


Ejemplo: (Yo) Quiero nadar.
Infinitive = unconjugated verb. Planned action,
has yet to be done

Ejemplo: (Yo) Quiero nadar.
COMMON VERBS USED BEFORE INFINTIVES



Querer + infinitive
Preferir + infinitive
Deber + infinitive

Pensar + infinitive
Necesitar + infinitive
Gustar + infinitive
Ir + a + infinitive

Tener + que + infinitive



to want (to do)
to plan (to do)
to be obligated (to do)
(conjugated = must)
to plan (to do)
to need (to do)
to like (to do)
to be going (to do)
(expression of near future)
to have (to do)
CONSTRUCTION

Conjugate the first verb. Leave the second verb
alone:

Quiero jugar al béisbol.

Prefiero jugar al béisbol.
Debo jugar al béisbol.
 Pienso jugar al béisbol.


Necesito jugar al béisbol.
I want to play
baseball.
I prefer to play
baseball.
I must play baseball.
I plan to play
baseball.
I need to play
baseball.
SPECIAL CASES: GUSTAR

The form used before an infinitive is singular:
GUSTA. The infinitive is considered one action.


Ejemplo: (A mí) Me gusta comer pizza. – I like to eat
pizza.
Other verbs that act like GUSTAR include:

ENCANTAR – to really like/love


Ejemplo: Me encanta cantar. – I really like to sing.
TOCAR – to be someone’s turn (when used like
GUSTAR)

Ejemplo: Me toca limpiar el baño. – It’s my turn to clean
the bathroom.
SPECIAL CASES: IR + A

IR requires a “link” to connect it to an infinitive.

The link is the preposition “a”, which means “to.”

IR + a + infinitive expresses what someone is going to
do in the near future.

Ejemplo: Voy a comer pizza en la cafetería.
(present – go, future - eat)


– I am going to eat pizza in the cafeteria.
IR needs “a” to link a person going to a destination.
This does not require an infinitive, because the action
takes place in the present.

Ejemplo: Voy a la cafetería. (present – go)

- I am going to the cafeteria.
SPECIAL CASES: TENER QUE, TENER
GANAS DE
TENER means to have.
 To link TENER to an infinitive and talk about
what one has to do, use the link “que” before
adding the infinitive. Que does not translate.



Ejemplo: Tengo que estudiar para el examen.
- I have to study for the exam.
The expression TENER GANAS DE + infinitive
means to feel like (doing) or to desire (to do).

Ejemplo: Tengo ganas de comer chocolate.
- I feel like eating chocolate.