Understanding the Infinitive in Spanish

1. Unit 15: The infinitive By Juan Carlos Aguilar Arriazu &Diego Cooke Segura

2. What is the infinitive? • The infinitive, as in Spanish, is the base form of the verb • It is called the full infinitive when “to” is used before the verb. Example: I want to watch the film tonight. • It is called the bare infinitive when there is no “to”. Example: Let me see the newspaper.

3. When is the full infinitive used? • After certain verbs. Common examples include: afford agree choose expect help. Example: I asked to see the head teacher. • After impersonal it+be+adjective where the adjective describes the event that follows. Example: It was good to see her again. • After verbs wich follow the pattern verb+someone+ to do something Example: My mother persuaded me to buy a computer.

4. When is the full infinitive used? • After the verbs in the previous slide when we used them in the passive Example: She was allowed to choose for himself. • After be with the meaning of a formal instruction or information about the future. Example: You are to report here at 8 tomorrow morning. • To express purpose. Example: She´s saving her money to go on holidays.

5. When is the bare infinitive used? • After verbs wich follow the pattern verb+someone+do something. Example: have, let, make I´ll have the waiter bring us water • After models auxiliary verbs(but remember that some modals contain two in themselves. Example: We might go to Italy this year.

6. In these cases would you use the bare infinitive or the full infinitive. • I have____(agree) with you on that point. • It was great_____(experience) such pleasant feelings. • She´ll _____(let) me go if i behave. • We might_____(forget) to bring the ingredients. • I am studying very intensively_____(pass) my exam.