The use of 'que' before the infinitive

[mattmc1]

Good morning everyone,

I have a question about when to use (and when not to use) 'que' between a conjugated verb and an infinitive... What are the rules?

Thanks,

Matt

[Rusty]

I can only think of two cases when this is used:
tener que + infinitive
hay que + infinitive

These both imply obligation.

tener que + infinitive (have to (do something))
Tienes que ir. (You have to go.)

hay que + infinitive (have to (do something), but used in an impersonal way)
Hay que ir. (One has to (must) go.)

[mattmc1]

Thanks Rusty - so it's only used as part of a necessity (?), such as:

"Necesito que llevar un abrigo porque hace frio afuera"

"I need to wear a coat because it's cold outside"..?

What about when to use 'a' between a conjugated and infinitive verb?

For example, when you say "I'm going to go" or "I'm going to see", you use 'a' to act as the 'to': "Voy a ir" or "Voy a ver"

But when you say something like "I would like to see a film", you omit the 'a': "Me gustaria ver una pelicula"...

[Luna Azul]

Thanks Rusty - so it's only used as part of a necessity (?), such as:

"Necesito que llevar un abrigo porque hace frio afuera":bad:

"I need to wear a coat because it's cold outside"..?

What about when to use 'a' between a conjugated and infinitive verb?

For example, when you say "I'm going to go" or "I'm going to see", you use 'a' to act as the 'to': "Voy a ir" or "Voy a ver"

But when you say something like "I would like to see a film", you omit the 'a': "Me gustaria ver una pelicula"...

"Necesitar" doesn't use a preposition before an infinitive: "necesito llevar un abrigo...."

One verb that use "que" is "tener" and there are the expressions "haber que" and "dado que" an invariable term that means "given that.."

I don't think these will be a problem for you. As for the preposition "a" and all the rest, I suggest you go to this web page, it gives you a list of all the verbs that use prepositions before an infinitive and before an object.

http://www.elearnspanishlanguage.com/grammar/verb/verbswithprep.html

;)

[Rusty]

Only the two set phrases I listed above use a que in between, as far as I know.
Tengo que llevar I have to wear
Hay que llevar One must wear
Necesito llevar (no que) I need to wear

The use of a preposition, whether it is 'a', 'en', 'con', 'de', or 'por', when an infinitive follows, largely depends on the verb used before the preposition.

The verb ir isn't always followed by the preposition 'a'. When you're talking about a future event, as you did with your two examples, it is.

[mattmc1]

Thanks both of you - the link to elearnspanishlanguage is especially useful!

Matt