Download 11.10 More Uses of the Infinitive Language Lesson

11.10 More Uses of the Infinitive
Language & Culture Lessons
By now you’re used to using infinitives (the form of a verb that ends in –AR, -ER, or –IR) in a variety of ways. However, did
you realize that an infinitive can be used as a subject or the object of a preposition?
Language Lesson
In English, when a verb is used as a verbal nou n, an –ing word is used. Examples include, “I like singing,” “Diving is
fun,” or, “Before eating, I washed the dishes.” If you translated these directly into Spanish, you may be tempted to use
the present participle (such as cantando, buceando, comiendo). This would be incorrect. Use the infinitive instead.
Look at the following examples:
Used as a Subject
Imitar es la forma más sincera de halagar.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Estar a tiempo es importante.
Being on time is important.
Used as the Object of a Preposition
Lo hice sin pensar en las consecuencias.
I did it without thinking of the consequences.
Para poder respirar bajo el agua, necesitas tanques de
aire.
To be able to breath under water, you need air tanks.
Infinitives as Commands
When you see signs in public places, you’ll often see the infinitive form of a verb used as a command.
NO ENTRAR
No entrance
NO FUMAR
No smoking
NO PARQUEAR
No parking
Verbs Followed by Infinitives
There are many, many verbs in Spanish that are followed by a preposition (usually a, de, or en) and an infinitive.
Some of these include:
enseñar a
to teach (something)
ir a
to go to
pensar en
to think about
tener que
to have to
tratar de
to try to
Por ejemplo:
Fuimos a ver a Marta en el hospital.
We went to see Marta at the hospital.
Fuimos a ver a Marta en el hospital.
We went to see Marta at the hospital.
Mi primo me enseñó a jugar billar.
My cousin taught me to play pool.
Voy a tratar de hacerlo bien.
I’m going to try to do it well.
Tengo que aprender la materia rápidamente.
I have to learn the subject quickly.
Sensory Verbs
You are already familiar with using the infinitive form of a verb after words like poder, saber, and querer. (Examples
include: "Puedo hacerlo," "Sé nadar," and "Quiero ir.")
However, did you know that sensory verbs like to hear, to see, or to feel, are also followed by an infinitive? Watch
out for the word order: the infinitive will come directly after the conjugated sensory verb, followed by the direct
object.
Por ejemplo:
Huelo cocinar la carne.
I smell the meat cooking.
Escucho cantar el pájaro.
I hear the bird sing.
¿Me veían ustedes bailar?
Did you guys see me dance?
Siento enfriar el vaso.
I feel the glass getting cold.
Huelo cocinar la carne
I smell the meat cooking.
Culture
Strange creatures
All over the world, we hear about animals that seem too strange to be true, like Big Foot in the Himalayas, and the
Loch Ness monster in Scotland. In Latin America, there are two mysterious beings that have haunted the history
books for many years.
El Chupacabras
El Chupacabras is the most famous Latin American legend. Chupar means "to suck" and cabra means goat, so literally
this beast's name means "goat sucker."
Since 1995, hundreds of attacks have been reported on livestock all over the Americas. This 3 foot tall, hopping
creature kills livestock by making several round holes in the body and draining its victim's blood. Mass killings of up
to 300 animals are documented, and several Chupacabras have been turned over to authorities for testing.
Each time the hairless, rodent like animal has been identified as an existing breed such as a coyote. This doesn't stop
local people from speculating though; I mean how could a single coyote drain the blood of that many livestock?
El Mapinguari
The Mapinguari is a legendary sloth-like creature with red fur that resides deep in the heart of the Amazon
rainforest. According to natives and hunters, it exudes a strong smell and emits an ear-splitting scream. There is little
documentation of sightings, and no evidence of existence has been found. The most acceptable theory is that the
Amazon hosts the last survivors of the giant sloth family, an animal that became extinct 10 thousand years ago.
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