If you are saying that someone does an action, the verb needs to be conjugated. (ending changed to match the subject) example: Yo estudio mucho para los exámenes. I study a lot for tests.
If you are talking about an action in general, you do not conjugate the verb. (leave it in the infinitive: –ar, –er, or –ir) example: Es importante estudiar para los exámenes. It is important to study for tests.
Usually if the English uses the infinitive, the Spanish will use the infinitive too. Look for: TO + action (to go, to swim, etc.)
Sometimes you will have more than one verb in a sentence. You can NOT conjugate two verbs in a row unless you are talking about two separate actions that someone is doing. You will find many phrases or expressions that use two verbs together– we’ll call them “verb combos”.
In a “verb combo” (two verbs together), —the first verb is conjugated —the second verb is in the infinitive form example: Oscar prefiere llevar jeans los fines de semana. Oscar prefers to wear jeans on weekends. 1 st verb—conjugated 2 nd verb—infinitive
Here are some verbs and expressions that are often followed by an infinitive: me gusta / gustaríaI like / would like me encanta / encantaríaI love / would love poder (o ue)to be able, can deberought to, should preferir (e ie)to prefer
Here are a few more verbs and expressions that are often followed by an infinitive: querer (e ie)to want pensar (e ie)to plan necesitarto need tener queto have to ir ato be going to
Examples: Me gusta nadar. I like to swim. Te gustaría bailar. You would like to dance. Me encanta ir de compras. I love to go shopping. 1 st verb—conjugated 2 nd verb—infinitive
Examples: Me encantaría ir contigo. I would love to go with you. Los chicos pueden tocar la guitarra. The boys can (are able to) play the guitar. Debemos comprar un regalo para él. We should (ought to) buy a gift for him. 1 st verb—conjugated 2 nd verb—infinitive
Examples: Mi amiga prefiere estar sola. My friend prefers to be alone. El perro quiere jugar con los niños. The dog wants to play with the kids. Pensamos viajar a Colorado. We plan to travel to Colorado. 1 st verb—conjugated 2 nd verb—infinitive
Examples: Él necesita estudiar mucho. He needs to study a lot. Tiffany tiene que hacer un proyecto. Tiffany has to do a project. Uds. van a comer el desayuno. Y’all are going to eat breakfast. 1 st verb—conjugated 2 nd verb—infinitive
When you have more than one verb, REMEMBER: You can NOT conjugate two verbs in a row unless you are talking about two separate actions that someone is doing. In a “verb combo” (two verbs together), —the first verb is conjugated —the second verb is in the infinitive form