grammar.verbs.infinitive-uses
Using the infinitive: after prepositions and as a noun
After every preposition and as a verbal noun, Spanish uses the infinitive where English uses -ing: antes de salir, ver para creer, el saber no ocupa lugar.
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Explanation
Prepositions take infinitives, never gerunds: sin pagar, después de comer, para entender. Same-subject 'que clauses' compress to infinitives: espero poder ir.
As a noun (sometimes with el): fumar es caro, me encanta el cantar de los pájaros. On signs, the infinitive serves as a neutral imperative: no fumar, empujar.
Examples
Gracias por venir.
Thanks for coming.
Thanks for coming.
Region: global
No fumar.
No smoking.
No smoking.
Region: global