Beginning Spanish ¡Empecemos por aquí!

328 •  Chapter 4: La vida que vivimos Lengua 4.6: Expressions with the infinitive 2 In Lengua 2.8, we explored some common expressions with infinitives, such as the following: Tenemos que hacer algo para proteger los recursos naturales. Quiero viajar por todo el mundo, pero no sé cómo ahorrar suficiente dinero. El gobierno va a establecer reglas nuevas contra el uso de plásticos. There are many other uses for infinitives. Rather than trying to memorize the specific examples, use these categories as tools for adding variety to your writing and speaking. Expressions with infinitives There are many verbs that are commonly used with infinitives. Remember that when two verbs are together, it will be most common to see the first verb conjugated and the second unconjugated. Here are some of those common verbs with examples: Poder + infinitivo ¿Podrías ayudarme? Quisiera + infinitivo Quisiera alcanzar una meta 53 cada semana. Me gustaría + infinitivo Me gustaría visitar el jardín de rosas el domingo. Hay que + infinitivo Hay que votar. Si la gente no vota, el presidente no va a representar a los ciudadanos. Acabar de + infinitivo Oregón acaba de aprobar una ley ambientalista. You can review more of these expressions in Lengua 2.8. Infinitives after prepositions Prepositions are words that modify sentences by adding information about direction, location, and time. Some common Spanish prepositions include the following: sin without por for, by, because of, through, around para for, by, in order to hasta until Prepositions can also be part of other clauses, such as the preposition de in the adverbial clauses antes de (before) and después de (after). When a verb follows a preposition, it will be in the infinitive form. This can often be translated as an -ing word in English. Here are some examples of infinitive verbs being used this way: 53 goal