Using the infinitive after prepositions in Spanish (not present participle)

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA

Last updated: 2024-01-23

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In the cases where, in English, a present participle (e.g dancing, eating, living) is used, in Spanish the infinitive is generally used instead (e.g bailar, comer, vivir), especially if the phrase in Spanish contains a preposition.

Here are some examples:

Estoy interesado en ofrecerte un trabajo.I am interested in offering you a job.

Después de cenar, veremos la televisión.After having dinner, we will watch the television.

Hice la traducción sin mirar el diccionario.I did the translation without consulting in the dictionary.

Ella está acostumbrada a dormir en un colchón duro.She is used to sleeping on a hard mattress.

Notice how in the Spanish sentence there is an infinitive after the preposition, while in English there is a present participle (with or without a preposition).

Here are some more examples:

Hice el examen sin mirar el reloj.I did the exam without looking at the clock.

Yo había parado de bailar cuando él se unió a la fiesta.I had stopped dancing when he joined the party.

Debo centrarme en mejorar mi español.I must focus on improving my Spanish.

In Spanish the only possible verbal form directly after a preposition is an infinitive.

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