Spanish infinitives are the base forms of verbs, equivalent to "to..." + verb in English (e.g., hablar = "to speak"). They always end in one of three suffixes: -ar, -er, -ir. As the "dictionary form," infinitives are used to:
- Present verbs in a general, abstract way
- Follow certain expressions and auxiliary verbs
- Serve as the root for conjugation in all tenses
Use and Structure
Spanish infinitives end in -ar, -er, -ir and are used as the verb's "to..." form. They appear after modal verbs (e.g., quiero comer), some set expressions (e.g., antes de salir), and when verbs act like nouns.
- Infinitives: hablar, comer, vivir
- Cannot be directly conjugated for subject/time until transformed from the infinitive
Example Infinitives:
- Hablar (to speak)
- Comer (to eat)
- Vivir (to live)
Typical Uses:
- After modal/auxiliary verbs: Quiero viajar (I want to travel).
- After prepositions: Antes de salir (Before leaving).
- As subjects: Fumar es peligroso (Smoking is dangerous).
Infinitive Endings and Examples
| Ending | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| -ar | Hablar | To speak |
| -er | Comer | To eat |
| -ir | Vivir | To live |
Conclusion
Spanish infinitives are the core verb forms ending in -ar, -er, or -ir, used to express "to do something," and they function as verbs, nouns, or after other verbs.
- Infinitives = base verbs: hablar, comer, vivir.
- Used after... can you name some? (modal verbs, prepositions, etc.)
- Endings are a/er/ir. Can you match some examples?