12. Double verbs

12. Double verbs

Examples of sentences using double verbs

Notice that the first verb in the phrase is conjugated (the ending changes to say who's doing it) and the second verb stays an infinitive.

Going to (ir a + infinitive)

Remember to put an "a" after the form of ir.

All the present tense forms of ir start with "v": voy, vas, va, vamos, van.

Example: Los chicos van a hacer una pizza. (The kids are going to make a pizza.)

Multiple Choice

She's going to play volleyball =

• Va a juega voleibol.

• Va a jugar voleibol.

• Ella ir a jugar voleibol.

• Ella ir a juega voleibol.

Have to (tener que + infinitive)

To say that someone has to do something, use a form of tener + que + an infinitive.

The "que" doesn't translate to an English meaning but you need it anyway!

Example: Daniela tiene que trabajar. (Daniela has to work.)

Multiple Choice

Teacher, I have to go to the bathroom. =

• Profe, tener que ir al baño.

• Profe, tengo que voy al baño.

• Profe, tener que voy al baño.

• Profe, tengo que ir al baño.

Want to (querer + infinitive)

To say that someone wants to do something, use a form of querer + an infinitive.

You don't add any extra word after querer (no "a" or "que").

Example: Mariana quiere tocar el clarinete. (Mariana wants to play the clarinet.)

Multiple Choice

Nadia doesn't want to take out the trash =

• Nadia no quiere saca la basura.

• Nadia no querer sacar la basura.

• Nadia no quiere sacar la basura.

• Nadia no querer saca la basura.

Other double verbs

There are a lot of other verbs that make double verb phrases (conjugated verb + infinitive, sometimes with another little word in between). Some examples:

Necesito + infinitive = I need to ...

Puedo + infinitive = I can...

Prefiero + infinitive = I prefer to ...

Aprendo a + infinitive = I learn to ...