Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


verb infinitives

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old June 13, 2007, 10:57 AM
pogo pogo is offline
Ruby
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 87
pogo is on a distinguished road
verb infinitives

Can someone explain the difference between these:

ganar
a ganar
de ganar

I keep seeing them in Spanish sentences and i'm not sure what the difference is particularly between the first two, for example what would be the difference between

Qué vienes a buscar?

and

Qué vienes buscar?

Am i right in thinking you'd use de + verb infinitive when it's followed by a noun such as oportunidad de ganar.

thanks for any help.
__________________
If you notice any errors in my Spanish i'd appreciate any corrections. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old June 13, 2007, 03:02 PM
Tomisimo's Avatar
Tomisimo Tomisimo is offline
Davidísimo
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North America
Posts: 5,664
Native Language: American English
Tomisimo will become famous soon enoughTomisimo will become famous soon enough
Good question.

The infinitive form of Spanish verbs is similar to the English verb with the word "to" tacked on the beginning.

buscar = to look for

But there is a distinction. Sometimes in English we use the word "to" to mean "for the purpose of".

I came to look for my keys
I came for the purpose of looking for my keys


When this is the case, you need an "a" or "para" in front of the Spanish verb infinitive.

Vine a buscar mis llaves
Vine para buscar mis llaves
Vine con el propósito de buscar mis llaves.
Vine buscar mis llaves


The first three are rough synonyms and the last one is incorrect.

The de + infinitive is also similar to what you've said. I'd have to do a little bit of research to find out what the rule is, but here are some examples.

Tengo la oportunidad de ir con el.
Nunca tuve oportunidad de volar en avión.
Me dieron permiso de cantar con el grupo.


Again I'm not totally sure what the rule is, but it looks like:

noun + to + verb

If I can find anything else about this, I'll post it. Otherwise it'll go on my list of grammar points to touch in the reference grammar I'm writing for this site.
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old June 14, 2007, 08:00 AM
pogo pogo is offline
Ruby
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 87
pogo is on a distinguished road
thanks David.

One other thing, i'm writing an article for think vitamin on localisation and it has a couple of Spanish sentences in it so could you let me know if they're ok.

John likes apples
A John le gustan las manzanas

I'm pretty sure i've got that right but i'm not sure about this one:

click here to visit our home page
haz clic aquí para visitar nuestro página de inicio

thanks.
__________________
If you notice any errors in my Spanish i'd appreciate any corrections. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old June 14, 2007, 09:50 PM
Tomisimo's Avatar
Tomisimo Tomisimo is offline
Davidísimo
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North America
Posts: 5,664
Native Language: American English
Tomisimo will become famous soon enoughTomisimo will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by pogo View Post
thanks David.

One other thing, i'm writing an article for think vitamin on localisation and it has a couple of Spanish sentences in it so could you let me know if they're ok.

John likes apples
A John le gustan las manzanas

I'm pretty sure i've got that right but i'm not sure about this one:

click here to visit our home page
haz clic aquí para visitar nuestra página de inicio

thanks.

You've a good job. Keep up the good work.
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old June 15, 2007, 03:57 PM
pogo pogo is offline
Ruby
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 87
pogo is on a distinguished road
thanks David, i think i am slowly improving with my Spanish. I can read it much better than i can write or speak which is only natural i suppose.
__________________
If you notice any errors in my Spanish i'd appreciate any corrections. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old June 17, 2007, 09:55 PM
Tomisimo's Avatar
Tomisimo Tomisimo is offline
Davidísimo
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North America
Posts: 5,664
Native Language: American English
Tomisimo will become famous soon enoughTomisimo will become famous soon enough
You're welcome.

Keep at it and you'll keep on improving
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it!
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:59 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X