Conjugated Verb + Preposition + Infinitive
When constructing a sentence, some verbs are followed by the preposition "a" and then the infinitive form of another verb. We can write a formula for this construction as:
Conjugated Verb + Preposition "a" + Infinitive
A few examples of these verbs are: aprender a, ayudar a, enseñar a, comenzar a, correr a, ir a, invitar a, negar a, principiar a, salir a, venir a, volver a
Él corre a jugar.
verb = correr (present indicative)
verb = jugar (infinitive)
Tú corres a trabajar.
verb = correr (present indicative)
verb = trabajar (infinitive)
Ellos salen a caminar.
verb = salir (present indicative)
verb = caminar (infinitive)
Tú vienes a oír.
verb = vienir (present indicative)
verb = oír (infinitive)
El niño comienza a caminar.
verb = comienzar (present indicative)
verb = caminar (infinitive)
voy a escribir.
verb = ir (present indicative)
verb = escribir (infinitive)
Other verbs are followed by the preposition "de" and then the infinitive form of another verb. We can write a formula for this construction as:
Conjugated Verb + Preposition "de" + Infinitive
A few examples of these verbs are: terminar de, tratar de, dejar de, terminar de, parar de, dejar de, olvidar de
Él termina de comer.
verb = terminar (present indicative)
verb = comer (infinitive)
Tú tratas de trabajar.
verb = tratar (present indicative)
verb = trabajar (infinitive)
Ella deja de jugar.
verb = dejar (present indicative)
verb = jugar (infinitive)
Another group of verbs are followed by the preposition "en" and then the infinitive form of another verb. We can write a formula for this construction as:
Conjugated Verb + Preposition "en" + Infinitive
A few examples of these verbs are: consentir en, insistir en,
Él insiste en salir.
verb = insistir (present indicative)
verb = salir (infinitive)
Él tarda en llegar.
verb = tardar (present indicative)
verb = llegar (infinitive)
Ella esta consiente en trabajar.
verb = consetir (present indicative)
verb = trabajar (infinitive)
Nota: El verbo que no va en forma infinitiva y que necesita alguna de las preposiciones mencionadas, antes de seguir con otro verbo en forma infinitiva, puede estar en tiempo: pasado, presente y futuro.