pasar a + Infinitive
Proceed to
'Pasar a + infinitive' means 'to proceed to do something' or 'to move on to do something'.
How It Works
The verbal periphrasis pasar a + infinitivo is used to signal a transition to another activity, topic or state. It's more formal than simply using a connector like 'luego' (then) or 'después' (after).
Structure:
Subject + pasar (conjugated) + a + infinitive
The verb pasar is conjugated in the appropriate tense and mood to match the subject and context of the sentence. The preposition a is essential and cannot be omitted.
This construction is frequently used in contexts like:
- Presentations and Meetings: To move from one point to the next. 'Ahora pasamos a discutir el presupuesto.' (Now we will move on to discuss the budget.)
- Narratives: To describe a sequence of actions. 'Terminó de cenar y pasó a leer en el salón.' (He finished dinner and proceeded to read in the living room.)
- Instructions: To guide someone through a series of steps. 'Una vez que hierva el agua, pase a añadir la pasta.' (Once the water boils, proceed to add the pasta.)
It highlights a transition; the earlier activity need not be completely finished. It can also describe an unplanned change of state, as in La empresa pasó a depender del ministerio (The company came under the ministry).
Examples (5)
- Después de presentar al equipo, el gerente pasó a explicar el nuevo proyecto.
After introducing the team, the manager proceeded to explain the new project.
Word by Word: After of presenting to the team, the manager passed to explain the new project.
- Si no hay más preguntas sobre este tema, pasamos a analizar el siguiente punto.
If there are no more questions on this topic, we will move on to analyze the next point.
Word by Word: If not there are more questions about this topic, we pass to analyze the next point.
- Una vez que termines de limpiar tu cuarto, puedes pasar a jugar.
Once you finish cleaning your room, you can proceed to play.
Word by Word: One time that you finish of cleaning your room, you can pass to play.
- El autor describe la infancia del protagonista y luego pasa a narrar su adolescencia.
The author describes the protagonist's childhood and then moves on to narrate his adolescence.
Word by Word: The author describes the childhood of the protagonist and then passes to narrate his adolescence.
- Habíamos terminado la primera fase, así que pasaríamos a implementar la segunda al día siguiente.
We had finished the first phase, so we would proceed to implement the second one the next day.
Word by Word: We had finished the first phase, so that we would pass to implement the second to the day following.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the preposition 'a'.
*El profesor terminó la lección y pasó explicar la tarea.El profesor terminó la lección y pasó a explicar la tarea.The preposition 'a' is a mandatory part of this verbal periphrasis. It connects the verb 'pasar' to the infinitive that follows.
Using 'para' instead of 'a'.
Ahora pasamos para discutir los resultados.Ahora pasamos a discutir los resultados.For the intended move to the next discussion topic, use pasamos a discutir. Pasamos para discutir can describe passing by or coming through for that purpose; it is a different reading, not an inherently ungrammatical sequence.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'pasar a + infinitive', you need to know how to conjugate the regular verb 'pasar' in the present tense and understand the structural pattern of linking a conjugated verb to an infinitive using the preposition 'a'.
Related Patterns
- llegar a + InfinitiveManage To/Come to
Both are verbal periphrases. 'Llegar a + infinitive' means 'to manage to' or 'to end up doing' something, often implying effort or a final outcome. 'Pasar a + infinitive' simply marks a progression to the next action in a sequence.
Level 5 - ponerse a + InfinitiveStart Doing (Suddenly)
Ponerse a focuses on beginning an activity. Pasar a focuses on a transition to a next activity or state, which need not be planned or preceded by completion of the first.
Level 5 - volver a + InfinitiveDo Again
Volver a expresses repetition. Pasar a presents a transition; the activity reached can itself be something done before.
Level 1 - dejar de + InfinitiveStop Doing
Dejar de marks stopping an activity. Pasar a marks a transition to another activity or state, without itself requiring that the first activity be completed.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice pasar a + Infinitive in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Spanish lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
