ver/oír + Infinitive
Perception + Infinitive
Structure to express seeing, hearing, or feeling someone/something perform an action: [ver/oír] + [object] + [infinitive].
How It Works
In Spanish, to say that you see, hear, or feel an action happening, you use a specific structure: [conjugated perception verb] + [direct object] + [infinitive].
The most common perception verbs used in this pattern are:
- Ver (to see)
- Oír (to hear - general sound)
- Escuchar (to listen to - intentional)
- Sentir (to feel)
The direct object is the person or thing that you perceive doing the action. If this object is a specific person, you must use the personal 'a'.
For example: Vi a María salir. (I saw María leave.)
Here, 'Vi' is the conjugated verb, 'a María' is the direct object, and 'salir' is the infinitive.
You can also use direct object pronouns in place of the noun: La vi salir. (I saw her leave.)
This structure is very similar to using a gerund (e.g., 'La vi saliendo' - I saw her leaving). Often, they are interchangeable. The infinitive can sometimes emphasize the action as a whole, while the gerund emphasizes that it was in progress.
Examples (5)
- Vi a los niños correr por el parque.
I saw the children run through the park.
Word by Word: I saw to the children run through the park.
- Oigo ladrar a un perro a lo lejos.
I hear a dog barking in the distance.
Word by Word: I hear bark to a dog in the distance.
- ¿Escuchaste a alguien llamar a la puerta?
Did you hear someone knock on the door?
Word by Word: Did you listen to someone call at the door?
- La vimos entrar en la tienda.
We saw her enter the store.
Here, 'la' is the direct object pronoun for 'her' (e.g., 'a ella').
- Sentí temblar el edificio.
I felt the building shake.
Word by Word: I felt shake the building.
Common Mistakes
Using 'que' + subjunctive instead of the infinitive
Vi que los niños corrieran por el parque.Vi a los niños correr por el parque.When you directly witness an action, use the infinitive structure. A clause with 'que' + subjunctive is used for indirect commands, wishes, or doubts, not for direct perception.
Using a conjugated verb instead of an infinitive for the second action
Oigo ladra un perro.Oigo ladrar a un perro.The verb describing the action that is perceived must be in its infinitive form (-ar, -er, -ir). Only the first verb (the perception verb) is conjugated.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use perception verbs like 'ver' (to see) and 'oír' (to hear) followed by an infinitive, you must first be comfortable with the conjugation of these verbs in various tenses. Additionally, since these constructions often involve observing people, understanding the 'personal a' is essential for correct sentence structure.
- vi/viste/vio/vimos/vieronPreterite of Ver
Understanding the conjugation of 'ver' is necessary to use it in perception constructions.
Level 2 - veía/veías/veía/veíamos/veíanImperfect of Ver
The imperfect form of 'ver' is frequently used with infinitives to describe ongoing perceptions in the past.
Level 2 - aPersonal a
The 'personal a' is often required when the subject being perceived is a specific person.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- lo/la/los/lasDirect Object Pronouns
The person or thing being perceived is the direct object of the perception verb. Understanding direct object pronouns is key for sentences like 'La vi correr' (I saw her run).
Level 2 - hacer + InfinitiveCausative Hacer
This is another common 'verb + infinitive' structure. It's useful to contrast them: 'ver + infinitive' is for perceiving an action, while 'hacer + infinitive' is for causing an action (e.g., 'Le hice reír' - I made him laugh).
Level 4 - dejar/permitir + InfinitivePermission Verbs
Similar to causative 'hacer', this pattern also uses an infinitive but expresses permission ('Le dejé usar mi coche' - I let him use my car). It helps to see how different main verbs change the meaning of the infinitive that follows.
Level 4 - estar + GerundPresent Progressive
This is an alternative way to express a perceived action. 'La vi correr' (infinitive) and 'La vi corriendo' (gerund) are often interchangeable, with the gerund sometimes placing more emphasis on the ongoing nature of the action.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice ver/oír + Infinitive in Bubblegum
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