B1 Spanish GrammarInfinitive vs Gerund
Learn when to use the infinitive (hablar, comer) versus the gerund (hablando, comiendo) in Spanish. Unlike English, Spanish uses the infinitive far more often. Master verb combinations with prepositions and understand the progressive tenses with estar + gerund.
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1Using the Infinitive
The infinitive is the default verb form after prepositions (sin hablar, para comer, al llegar), after most verbs (quiero ir, puedo hacerlo), and as a noun (Fumar es malo). Unlike English, Spanish never uses the gerund after prepositions.
Infinitive After Prepositions
| Preposition | Spanish | English (uses -ing) |
|---|---|---|
| sin | sin decir nada | without saying anything |
| para | para aprender | for learning / to learn |
| después de | después de comer | after eating |
| antes de | antes de salir | before leaving |
| al | al ver eso | upon seeing that |
Examples
SaliĂł sin decir adiĂłs.
He left without saying goodbye.
sin + infinitive, NOT sin diciendo
Estudia para aprobar el examen.
She studies to pass the exam.
para + infinitive
Al llegar a casa, me dormĂ.
Upon arriving home, I fell asleep.
al + infinitive = upon -ing
Después de cenar, vemos la tele.
After eating dinner, we watch TV.
después de + infinitive
2The Gerund (Gerundio)
Form the gerund with -ando (ar verbs) or -iendo (er/ir verbs). Stem-changing verbs change in the gerund: dormir→durmiendo, sentir→sintiendo, pedir→pidiendo. Use the gerund with estar for progressive tenses and to show an action happening simultaneously.
Gerund Formation
| Verb Type | Infinitive | Gerund |
|---|---|---|
| -ar verbs | hablar | hablando |
| -er verbs | comer | comiendo |
| -ir verbs | vivir | viviendo |
| stem change (o→u) | dormir | durmiendo |
| stem change (e→i) | pedir | pidiendo |
| y insertion | leer | leyendo |
Examples
Estoy estudiando español.
I am studying Spanish.
estar + gerund = present progressive
LlegĂł corriendo.
He arrived running.
manner: how the action was done
PasĂł la tarde leyendo.
She spent the afternoon reading.
duration with pasar/llevar
SiguiĂł hablando sin parar.
He kept talking non-stop.
seguir + gerund = keep -ing
3Progressive Tenses with Estar
Estar + gerund creates progressive tenses: estoy comiendo (I am eating), estaba durmiendo (I was sleeping), estaré trabajando (I will be working). Use progressives for actions happening at a specific moment. Spanish progressives are used less than English - simple tenses often suffice.
Progressive Tense Forms
| Tense | Estar | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | estoy/estás/está... | Estoy comiendo |
| Imperfect | estaba/estabas... | Estaba durmiendo |
| Preterite | estuve/estuviste... | Estuve esperando |
| Future | estaré/estarás... | Estaré trabajando |
Examples
Estoy viendo una pelĂcula.
I'm watching a movie.
present progressive
Estaban cenando cuando llamé.
They were having dinner when I called.
past progressive
Mañana a esta hora estaré volando.
Tomorrow at this time I'll be flying.
future progressive
Estuve esperando dos horas.
I was waiting for two hours.
completed action that took time
4Verbs with Infinitive vs Gerund
Most Spanish verbs take an infinitive: querer, poder, deber, necesitar, esperar, preferir, intentar, decidir, saber, prometer. Only a few use the gerund: seguir/continuar (keep doing), llevar (have been doing), ir (gradually), acabar/terminar (end up), estar.
Verb + Infinitive Patterns
| Verb | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| querer | + infinitive | Quiero comer |
| empezar | a + infinitive | Empecé a correr |
| dejar | de + infinitive | DejĂł de fumar |
| acabar | de + infinitive | Acabo de llegar |
| seguir | + gerund | Sigo estudiando |
| llevar | + gerund | Llevo esperando una hora |
Examples
Quiero aprender a bailar.
I want to learn to dance.
querer + inf, aprender + a + inf
Dejó de fumar hace un año.
He stopped smoking a year ago.
dejar de + inf = stop doing
Sigo pensando en ti.
I keep thinking about you.
seguir + gerund = keep -ing
Llevo tres horas esperando.
I've been waiting for three hours.
llevar + time + gerund
Practice Exercises
5 exercises
Complete: 'SaliĂł sin ___ nada.' (He left without saying anything.)
Complete: 'Estoy ___ un libro.' (I am reading a book.)
Complete: 'Quiero ___ español.' (I want to learn Spanish.)
Complete: 'Sigue ___ a pesar de todo.' (She keeps studying despite everything.)
What's the gerund of 'dormir' (to sleep)?
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
“En la noche de bodas, estaba sola en el barco mirando el mar.”
“Emma miró a su alrededor, buscando el rostro familiar de su abuela.”
“Sin embargo, dirigir un negocio sola se estaba volviendo demasiado trabajo.”
“'Este es Max,' dijo Tom, señalando a un gran golden retriever.”
Practice with B1 Stories
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