must a always be used to connect an infinitive?

Question

You mention in the answers section for the preposition "a" that "a" is used to connect an infinitive to another verb. Must this always be used? A lot of the material in Barron's E-Z Spanish does not have the "a" and I'm unclear whether Barron's has an error (which wouldn't surprise me) or there is another rule.

Answer 1

No, it is not always necessary if I understand what you are asking. Could you provide a link or example of what you are referring to?

There are certain periphrases that utilize an "a" before an infinitive like ir+a+verb infinitive.

There are also certain verbs that utilize an "a" after them which could be followed by another verb infinitive.

empezar, comenzar, aprender, etc. infinitive + a

Empiezo a hacer... (I am starting to make..)

But these are the exception; not the rule. Think of all the verb infinitives that have auxilary verbs used with them. They do not have an "a" before the infinitive.

Other examples:

Puedo hacerlo.

Debes hacerlo.

Necesito hacerlo.

You answsered my question and bonus points for link to all the verbs that do require an "a" when followed by a preposition. To answer yours, http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/100034/prepositions though I cannot link to the text of my book - dsrogers, Jan 13, 2010

Answer 2

To answer that question pretty straight forward, the answer is no. "a" does not always have to be used to connect an infinitive to another verb. Verbs of motion do.

Yes, that was pretty succint. - 0074b507, Jan 13, 2010