Spanish grammar - The infinitive following adjectives or nouns – requiring de, a and other prepositions

The infinitive following adjectives or nouns – requiring de, a and other prepositions

In Spanish, certain prepositions can be used to link adjectives or nouns to an infinitive verb.

• de is often used to express obligation, necessity, or a relationship between the nounΔadjective and the infinitive. Is is also used after a noun indicating time.

• a is frequently used to express the direction or intention of an action, often equivalent to 'to' in English.

• para is used to indicate purpose or intention. It is equivalent to 'in order to' or 'for' in English.

• en is used to indicate the place, time, context or state in which an action occurs. It is also used with superlative adjectives.

Note that comparisons do not require a proposition before the following infinitive verb.

Examples:
	Es fácil de entender. It is easy to understand.
	No tengo tiempo de esperarte. (I) don't have time to wait for you.
	¿Es capaz de hacerlo? Is (he) able to do it? capaz means 'able'
	Estoy feliz de verte de nuevo. (I) am glad to see you again. feliz means 'glad'
	Estoy encantada de conocerle. (I, female) am delighted to make your acquaintance. encantada means 'delighted'
	Es mejor tomar el autobús. It's better to take the bus. comparative adjective, no preposition
	Marguerite tiene miedo de dormirse. Marguerite is afraid to fall asleep. miedo (m) means 'afraid'
	Ella también tiene miedo de no despertarse. She is also afraid of not waking up.
	Es raro no pedir ayuda. It's weird not asking for help. raro means 'weird' pedir means 'to ask' no preposition with certain adjectives
	Ella no tiene tiempo de subir esta montaña. She doesn't have time to climb this mountain. de used after a noun indicating time
	Este es el último tren en salir hoy. This is the last train to leave today. último means 'last' en used with superlative adjectives
	Él fue el primer chico en besarme. He was the first boy to kiss me. primer means 'first' besar means 'to kiss' en used with superlative adjectives
	Dame un libro para leer. Give (me) a book to read. para used to indicate purpose
	Este es el mejor plato para pedir en este bistró. This is the best dish to order in this bistro. pedir means 'to order' para used to indicate purpose
	El vestido está limpio y listo para usar. The dress is clean and ready to wear. limpio means 'clean' listo means 'ready' para used to indicate readiness
	Estoy cansado de estudiar todo el día. I am tired of studying all day. cansado (adj) means 'tired'
	Tienes la obligación de terminar el trabajo a tiempo. You have the obligation to finish the work on time. obligación (f) means 'obligation'
	Ella es capaz de resolver cualquier problema. She is capable of solving any problem. capaz (adj) means 'capable' cualquier means 'any'
	Estoy dispuesto a ayudarte en cualquier momento. I am willing to help you at any time. a used to express intention or direction dispuesto (adj) means 'willing'
	Tenemos que estar listos para salir en cualquier momento. We have to be ready to leave at any time. para used to express purpose
	Ella tiene una razón para continuar con el proyecto. She has a reason to continue with the project. para used to express purpose continuar means 'to continue'
	Estoy interesado en aprender más sobre el tema. I am interested in learning more about the subject. interesado (adj) means 'interested' tema (m) means 'subject'
	Este es el mejor lugar para vivir. This is the best place to live. para used to express purpose mejor (adj) means 'best'
	El equipo está listo para competir en el torneo. The team is ready to compete in the tournament. para used to express purpose competir means 'to compete'