Preposition Adjustment Before Infinitives

Level 6

Some governed en or amb complements use a or de before an infinitive in careful formal writing.

How It Works

Learn the preposition with each governing verb. Before a noun, pensar en can mean thinking about something; before an intended action, pensar a fer una cosa commonly means remembering to do it. Insistir en una proposta gives insistir a presentar-la in careful formal usage.

Review infinitival complements by lexical construction, not by searching for every en and replacing it. Pensa a comprovar-ho conveys remembering a task; tarda a respondre has an established a pattern; es complau a ajudar expresses satisfaction in acting. Some en or amb plus infinitive sequences belong to other constructions and do not undergo this change. Keep formal selected-preposition adjustment separate from temporal en arribar.

Examples (3)

  1. Pensa a comprovar-ho abans de sortir.

    Remember to check it before leaving.

  2. Tarda a respondre.

    She takes a long time to reply.

  3. Es complau a ajudar els altres.

    He takes pleasure in helping others.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Preposition Adjustment Before InfinitivesLevel 6

Learn This First

Preserve the lexical meaning when adjusting an infinitival preposition.