Verb + Infinitive expressions

VERB + INFINITIVE EXPRESSIONS

VERB + INFINITIVE 

Sentence structure: (subject)+one conjugated verb+an unconjugated verb  Ejemplo: (Yo) Quiero nadar.  Inglés: I want to swim. 

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Conjugated verb = the main (current) action of the sentence 

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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

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Pensar + infinitive Necesitar + infinitive Gustar + infinitive Ir + a + infinitive

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Tener + que + infinitive

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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.

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Prefiero jugar al béisbol.

Debo jugar al béisbol.  Pienso jugar al béisbol. 

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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. 

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Ejemplo: (A mí) Me gusta comer pizza. – I like to eat pizza.

Other verbs that act like GUSTAR include: 

ENCANTAR – to really like/love 

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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.

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The link is the preposition “a”, which means “to.”

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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) 

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– 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. 

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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.