# The infinitive: -ar, -er, -ir and where it goes

> id: conjugation.nonfinite.infinitive · category: conjugation · depth: standard · levels: A1, A2 · review: internally_reviewed

**Summary.** Every Spanish verb ends in -ar, -er, or -ir. The infinitive follows prepositions and conjugated verbs, and serves as the verb's noun form: me gusta viajar.

The three endings -ar, -er, -ir define the three conjugation classes; -ar is by far the largest and the only productive one (new verbs like googlear are -ar).

After a preposition, Spanish always uses the infinitive — never a gerund: antes de salir, sin pensar, para entender (English: 'before leaving', 'without thinking').

It also acts as a noun (fumar es malo), follows modal-type verbs directly (puedo ayudar, quiero ir, debo salir), and hosts attached pronouns: quiero verte, voy a comprarlo.

## Examples
- Me gusta cocinar. — I like cooking.
- Antes de firmar, lee el contrato. — Before signing, read the contract.
- Quiero verte pronto. — I want to see you soon. *(Pronoun attached to the infinitive.)*

Related: conjugation.nonfinite.participle, conjugation.future.periphrastic-ir-a, conjugation.imperative.pronoun-attachment

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