When not to conjugate a verb

Question

I am trying to identify when not to conjugate a verb and my list currently includes: 1) when following another verb 2) when following a preposition - en, de, a, para (only??) 3) when the expression is impersonal

Could someone confirm if I have missed anything, and provide an example of a verb used in an impersonal expression. Also, I listed a few prepositions. Is this rule true for all prepositions or only the few I listed.

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi ncopf. Number 1) has already been covered.

Maybe a couple more things about 2) and 3):

2) When following a preposition: No, we’re not limited only to en, de, a and para here. Other prepositions may apply.

The tricky part here is to understand that, in English, when we need to use some form of a verb as a noun, we use the –ing form, or the gerund.

John is swimming in the pool. ? In this sentence, the complete verb is is swimming. The first word, is, is a helping, or auxiliary verb. The second word, swimming, is the main verb. Specifically, it’s the present participle form of the verb, because we’re in the present progressive tense. (–Ing verbs in English correspond to –ando or –iendo verbs in Spanish.)

However, in the following sentence:

Swimming is the next event. ? In this sentence, the word swimming, although a verb form (because it ends in –ing), it is not a verb. In this context, it’s a noun. In fact, it’s the subject of the sentence. In English, when we need to use a verb as a noun, we use the –ing form, and it’s called a gerund.

However, in Spanish, a gerundio is never a noun. It’s simply another way of saying present participle. In Spanish, when we need to use a form of a verb as a noun, we use the infinitive, or unconjugated form. As you know, then, they’re the verbs that end in –ar, –er, or –ir.

One big clue that an infinitive form of a verb is being used as a noun is when it immediately follows a preposition. (Since prepositions require objects, we know that a noun or a pronoun will follow thereafter.) You cannot normally follow a preposition with some conjugated form of a verb. That just doesn’t make sense.

3) Be careful not to confuse the concept of “when the expression is impersonal” with the “impersonal se”! The impersonal se corresponds to the English “One needs to be careful” or “you need to be careful (but I don’t mean you personally)” or some construct in the passive voice. The impersonal se, in Spanish, is conjugated. ¿Cómo se dice book? How do you say book? How does one say book? How is book said? ? (The passive voice.)

What is meant by “when the expression is impersonal” is like this: the most basic command form that is not directed towards a person. Change your English settings on your e-mail to Spanish. “Exit” or “Sign out” becomes “Salir.” “Search” becomes “Buscar,” etc. “Salir” and “Buscar” are, as you notice, unconjugated, or the most basic, impersonal, or infinitive forms. That is to say, I’m not telling you personally to exit in a conjugated, command form, as in Salga (Ud.) or Sal (tú). I’m saying “Exit,” or “Salir,” in general, to whomever. This is what is meant by “impersonal expression.”

I cannot think of any other instances in which you would not conjugate a verb. At least not right now! I think you’ve covered all of the main instances. But watch out for those exceptions, as Kiwi-Girl already said.

I hope this helps you. —Brian

Answer 2

The "not conjugated verb" is the infinitive. Go to the blue bar above and click on the word Learn, select Spanish Grammar from the drop down menu, then scroll down to the category Verbs, finally click on "other uses for infinitives". This section will tell you what you want to know and then some.

Answer 3

Be careful of grammar rules as there will likely always be exceptions but yes, it would be true to say that when two verbs appear next to each other, more often than not only the first one is conjugated and the second is left in its infinitive form.

Quiero ir. I want to go.

Necesito leer este libro. I need to read this book. etc

Here is an example of an impersonal expression, usually formed with ser + adjective:

Es fácil leer. It's easy to read.

You should only use this kind of sentence when it really is impersonal just a general statement. If your sentence is specific you would add 'de' before leer.

Esta novela es fácil de leer.