Everyday sentences
Putting two verbs together
Infinitive constructions
Use a verb in its basic -ar, -er, or -ir form after another expression.
The pattern
- Common patterns: quiero + infinitive; puedo + infinitive; antes de + infinitive.
- Only the first verb is conjugated in quiero aprender.
Quiero aprender a nadar.
I want to learn to swim.
Why it works: Quiero identifies the person who wants to learn. Aprender stays an infinitive after quiero, and aprender a introduces nadar.
Notice the difference
Quiero que aprendas a nadar.
I want you to learn to swim.
Why it works: When someone else is to do the learning, que + subjunctive aprendas connects the actions. The second verb does not always stay an infinitive.
One thing to watch for
Some verbs need a linking preposition: aprender a, dejar de, tratar de.