B1 Spanish GrammarVerb Chains and Infinitive Constructions
Master Spanish verb chains where multiple infinitives combine with modal and auxiliary verbs. Learn the patterns for poder, deber, querer + infinitive, and understand how to build complex verbal expressions in Spanish.
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1Modal Verbs with Infinitives
Spanish modal verbs (poder, deber, querer, saber) are followed directly by infinitives without any preposition. The modal conjugates while the main verb stays in infinitive form. This creates verb chains expressing ability, obligation, desire, or knowledge.
Modal + Infinitive
| Modal | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| poder | puedo hablar | I can speak |
| deber | debo estudiar | I must study |
| querer | quiero comer | I want to eat |
| saber | sé nadar | I know how to swim |
Examples
No puedo ir a la fiesta.
I cannot go to the party.
poder + infinitive
Debes terminar tu tarea.
You must finish your homework.
deber + infinitive
Queremos viajar a España.
We want to travel to Spain.
querer + infinitive
¿Sabes tocar la guitarra?
Do you know how to play guitar?
saber + infinitive
2Perfect Infinitive (Haber + Past Participle)
The perfect infinitive combines 'haber' + past participle to express completed actions in infinitive form. Use it after modal verbs for past ability, after prepositions, and in expressions like 'después de haber' (after having).
Perfect Infinitive Forms
| Verb | Past Participle | Perfect Infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| hablar | hablado | haber hablado |
| comer | comido | haber comido |
| escribir | escrito | haber escrito |
| hacer | hecho | haber hecho |
Examples
Debería haber llamado antes.
I should have called earlier.
modal + perfect infinitive
Después de haber cenado, salimos.
After having dined, we left.
preposition + perfect infinitive
Gracias por haber venido.
Thank you for having come.
por + perfect infinitive
Podría haber sido peor.
It could have been worse.
conditional + perfect infinitive
3Verbs with Preposition + Infinitive
Many Spanish verbs require a preposition before an infinitive. Common patterns: 'ir a' (going to), 'empezar a' (start to), 'dejar de' (stop), 'tratar de' (try to). Learn each verb's required preposition for correct usage.
Preposition Patterns
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ir a + inf | going to | voy a comer |
| empezar a + inf | start to | empiezo a trabajar |
| dejar de + inf | stop -ing | dejo de fumar |
| acabar de + inf | just did | acabo de llegar |
Examples
Voy a estudiar medicina.
I'm going to study medicine.
ir a + infinitive (near future)
Empezamos a entender la lección.
We're starting to understand the lesson.
empezar a + infinitive
Dejó de llover hace una hora.
It stopped raining an hour ago.
dejar de + infinitive
Acabo de terminar el libro.
I just finished the book.
acabar de + infinitive
4Double Verb Constructions
Spanish allows stacking multiple verb forms. Combinations like 'poder + ir a + infinitive' or 'deber + haber + participle' create nuanced meanings. The first verb conjugates; subsequent verbs remain in infinitive or participle form.
Complex Verb Chains
| Construction | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| modal + ir a + inf | puedo ir a verlo | I can go see it |
| modal + haber + pp | debe haber salido | must have left |
| ir a + tener que + inf | voy a tener que irme | I'm going to have to leave |
| querer + poder + inf | quiero poder ayudar | I want to be able to help |
Examples
Debe haber olvidado la cita.
He must have forgotten the appointment.
deduction about past
Vamos a tener que esperar.
We're going to have to wait.
future obligation
Quiero poder hablar mejor.
I want to be able to speak better.
desire for ability
Podría haber ido antes.
I could have gone earlier.
past possibility
Practice Exercises
5 exercises
Complete: 'No puedo ___ mañana.' (I can't come tomorrow.)
Complete: 'Debería ___ terminado antes.' (I should have finished earlier.)
Complete: 'Voy ___ estudiar.' (I'm going to study.)
Complete: 'Acabo ___ llegar.' (I just arrived.)
Which verb chain is correct?
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
“No podía esperar para escribir a todos los que había conocido.”
“Pero se recordaba a sí misma que su salud tenía que ir primero.”
“Con la nueva financiación, María podía contratar más personas y mejorar su producto más rápido.”
“Por una vez, no tenía prisa. No tenía que estar en ningún lugar.”
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