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Infinitives
The infinitive is the uninflected form of the verb such as to read, to write, to count, etc. Infinitives are divided into three categories: -ar, er, and -ir verbs. In addition to being the source of conjugated verbs, they also serve specific functions as parts of speech in their own right. They can be used in a causative construction, after verbs of sensory perception, after prepositions, as nouns, and as verbal objects.
If a speaker does not actually perform an action, but instead
causes something to happen, a causative construction can result.
Verbs such as mandar, hacer,
and dejar typically form part of the utterance.
- Me mandaron sacar fotos. (They ordered to me to take photos.)
- Les hicimos cantar para todos. (We made them sing for everyone.)
- Le dejé salir sin pedir permiso. (I let him leave without asking permission.)
Senses
Infinitives can follow verbs that imply a sensory perception, such
as sentir, percibir, ver, oír, oler, etc.
- Sentí pasar el espíritu. (I sensed the spirit pass by.)
- Vimos despegar el avión. (We saw the airplane take off.)
Following prepositions
After prepositions such as después de, antes de, para,
sin, etc. the infinitive follows, despite the -ing ending
in English.
- Comenzamos después de llegar. (We began after arriving.)
- Ganamos sin saberlo. (We won without knowing it.)
The infinitive as a noun
The infinitive can be used as a noun, and it can function as a
subject or as an object. As in the previous use, care should be taken
not to allow the distraction of English usage, i.e. an -ing
ending.
- El pasarse de la raya no es una buena idea. (Going overboard is not a good idea.)
- Se oía el chirriar de la puerta. (One could hear the door squeak.)
Verbal object
Mirroring English syntax, many verbs precede the infinitive, which
acts as an object of the verb.
- Debemos ahorrar más. (We should save more.)
- Sé conducir. (I know how to drive.)
- Necesito cambiar mi llanta desinflada. (I need to
change my flat tire.)
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