The infinitive is the base form of a verb and it is useful to learn because it shows the general meaning of an action without specifying who does it or when. In Spanish, infinitives always end in -ar, -er, or -ir.
Form
An infinitive in Spanish is a single word that ends in -ar, -er, or -ir, and it represents the action in its most general form. This makes infinitives easy to spot and useful as dictionary entries.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| hablar | to speak | |
| comer | to eat | |
| vivir | to live |
A verb in its base form in Spanish ends in _
Usage
Infinitives are used after certain verbs, after prepositions, and sometimes as a noun-like idea when talking about actions in general. Learning which verbs are followed by an infinitive helps you build sentences more naturally.
Verbs That Are Followed by an Infinitive
Some common verbs are followed directly by an infinitive when you want to express an intention, desire, ability, or plan to do something. These are useful for talking about what you or others want or need to do.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| querer | to want | |
| poder | to be able to | |
| necesitar | to need | |
| deber | to should / must |
Infinitives After Prepositions
After prepositions like para, antes de, después de, and sin, you use the infinitive to keep the idea of the action general and to link actions clearly. This is important for giving reasons, purposes, or sequences.
| Spanish Preposition | English Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| para | for / in order to | |
| antes de | before | |
| después de | after | |
| sin | without |
Using the Infinitive as a Noun
The infinitive can act like a noun when you talk about an activity in general, such as when you say that something is fun, difficult, or necessary. In Spanish, the infinitive keeps the idea broad and can be the subject or object of a sentence.
Summary
The infinitive is the basic verb form ending in -ar, -er, or -ir that shows an action in general. It is used after certain verbs, after prepositions, and when you want to talk about an action as a thing. Learning common verbs and prepositions that are followed by an infinitive will help you make clear and natural sentences.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025