Verbos en inglés seguidos de infinitivo (want to, need to)
want y need usan to + base verb para expresar acciones futuras y deseos. ¡Want to y need to son esenciales!
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Many English verbs require a 'to' before the following verb to express purpose, desire, or necessity.
- Use 'to' + base verb after verbs like want, need, and hope. Example: 'I want to eat.'
- For negatives, put 'not' before 'to'. Example: 'I decided not to go.'
- Never use '-ing' after these specific verbs. Example: 'I hope to see you' (NOT 'I hope seeing you').
Overview
Quiero comer, estás usando un verbo principal (quiero) seguido de un infinitivo (comer). En inglés, la estructura es casi idéntica: I want to eat.to que precede al verbo es el que suele darnos dolores de cabeza, al igual que la elección entre usar un infinitivo o un gerundio (la forma -ing).-ar, -er, -ir (cantar, correr, reír), en inglés el infinitivo estándar se compone de dos palabras: la partícula to + la forma base del verbo. Por ejemplo: to study, to work, to travel.to.hope (esperar/tener esperanza), plan (planear) o decide (decidir).Decidí estudiar(la acción de estudiar es posterior a la decisión). En inglés:
I decided to study.to actúa como un puente. Sin ese puente, la oración se derrumba. Un error muy común que cometemos los hispanohablantes es omitir el to porque en español el infinitivo es una sola palabra.Quiero jugar y nos tienta decir I want play. ¡Ojo! En inglés, ese to es obligatorio para que el segundo verbo sea un infinitivo.Sujeto + Verbo Principal (conjugado) + to + Verbo en forma baseneed (necesitar) en diferentes contextos:I | need | to buy | a coffee | I need to buy a coffee. |She | needs | to buy | a coffee | She needs to buy a coffee. |They | needed | to buy | a coffee | They needed to buy a coffee. |- 1Conjugación de la tercera persona: Fíjate que en el presente simple, añadimos la
-sal verbo principal (She needs), pero el infinitivoto buyse queda exactamente igual. Nunca digasShe needs to buys. - 2Cambio de tiempo: Si hablamos del pasado, cambiamos el verbo principal (
They needed), pero el infinitivoto buysigue intacto. El infinitivo es invariable. - 3La negación: Para negar estas oraciones, negamos el verbo principal usando los auxiliares correspondientes (
don't,doesn't,didn't).
- Ejemplo:
I don't want to go.(No quiero ir). - Ejemplo:
He didn't plan to arrive late.(Él no planeó llegar tarde).
- 1Negar el infinitivo: Si lo que quieres es expresar que has decidido *no* hacer algo, colocas el
notjusto antes delto.
- Ejemplo:
I decided not to go.(Decidí no ir).
want:I want to watch the new series on Netflix tonight.(Quiero ver la nueva serie en Netflix esta noche).hope:We hope to visit Mexico next summer.(Esperamos visitar México el próximo verano).would like:I would like to order a glass of red wine, please.(Me gustaría pedir una copa de vino tinto, por favor).
decide:They decided to move to a bigger apartment.(Decidieron mudarse a un apartamento más grande).plan:Are you planning to attend the meeting?(¿Planeas asistir a la reunión?).promise:I promise to call you when I arrive at the hotel.(Prometo llamarte cuando llegue al hotel).agree:We agreed to share the expenses.(Acordamos compartir los gastos).
need:I need to renew my passport before the trip.(Necesito renovar mi pasaporte antes del viaje).deserve:After all that work, you deserve to take a break.(Después de todo ese trabajo, mereces tomarte un descanso).
learn:My nephew is learning to swim.(Mi sobrino está aprendiendo a nadar).manage:I managed to finish the report on time.(Logré/Me las arreglé para terminar el informe a tiempo).
seem:You seem to be tired today.(Pareces estar cansado hoy).appear:The problem appears to be solved.(El problema parece estar resuelto).
afford | Permitirse (económicamente) | I can't afford to buy a new car. |agree | Estar de acuerdo / Acordar | We agreed to meet at the café. |choose | Elegir | She chose to stay home. |fail | Fallar / No lograr | He failed to pass the exam. |forget | Olvidar | Don't forget to lock the door. |learn | Aprender | I'm learning to drive. |offer | Ofrecer | They offered to help us. |prepare | Prepararse | We are preparing to leave. |pretend | Fingir | He pretended to be sick. |refuse | Negarse a | The boss refused to sign the document. |threaten | Amenazar | The clouds threaten to rain. |try | Intentar | Try to relax and enjoy the party. |wait | Esperar (tiempo) | I'm waiting to hear from you. |to (The Missing Bridge)Quiero salir. Como
salir es una sola palabra, tendemos a decir I want exit o I want go.- Error:
I want go to the party. - Correcto:
I want to go to the party. - ¿Por qué pasa? Porque en español el infinitivo no necesita una partícula extra, pero en inglés el
toes parte integral del verbo infinitivo.
I want that you...)
Quiero que tú vengas(usamos el subjuntivo). En inglés, no existe la estructura
I want that you come.- Error:
I want that you help me. - Correcto:
I want you to help me. - ¿Por qué pasa? En inglés, cuando queremos que otra persona haga algo, usamos la estructura:
Verbo + Persona + to + Infinitivo. Es como decirTe quiero a ti para ayudarme
. ¡Grábate esto a fuego!
-ing)I am eating), empiezan a ponerle -ing a todo.- Error:
I hope seeing you soon. - Correcto:
I hope to see you soon. - ¿Por qué pasa? Porque el gerundio también se traduce a veces como infinitivo en español (ej.
Me gusta cantar=I like singing). Sin embargo, con verbos de intención comohope,decideoplan, el infinitivo es la única opción correcta.
for para expresar propósitoVine para hablar contigo. Muchos traducen ese
para como for.- Error:
I came for to talk to you.oI came for talk to you. - Correcto:
I came to talk to you. - ¿Por qué pasa? En inglés, el infinitivo con
toya incluye la idea de propósito (para). No necesitas añadir nada más.
to do) y el gerundio (doing).to go) | Verbo + Gerundio (going) |want, need, decide, hope, plan. | enjoy, finish, avoid, suggest, mind. |I decided to quit my job. (Decisión futura) | I enjoy working here. (Hábito/Estado actual) |start, begin, continue y like que pueden ir seguidos de ambos sin cambiar mucho el significado:It started to rain.=It started raining.(Ambas son correctas).
try!:Try to open the window: Intentar abrir la ventana (hacer un esfuerzo físico porque está atascada).Try opening the window: Probar a abrir la ventana (como una sugerencia o experimento, por ejemplo, si hace mucho calor en la habitación).
can, must o should?bare infinitive (infinitivo sin to). Decimos I can go, nunca I can to go. Los verbos que hemos visto hoy (want, need, decide) no son modales, por eso sí llevan to.wanna en lugar de want to?I wanna go es la contracción de I want to go. Sin embargo, en un contexto profesional o académico, siempre debes escribir want to. Nunca lo uses en un examen de certificación.futuro vs. realidad ayuda mucho. Si el segundo verbo es algo que aún no ha pasado pero quieres que pase, suele ser infinitivo.Conjugating the Main Verb (Infinitive stays the same)
| Subject | Main Verb (Tense) | Infinitive Bridge | Base Verb | Full Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
want (Present)
|
to
|
travel
|
I want to travel.
|
|
He
|
wants (Present)
|
to
|
travel
|
He wants to travel.
|
|
They
|
wanted (Past)
|
to
|
travel
|
They wanted to travel.
|
|
She
|
is planning (Continuous)
|
to
|
travel
|
She is planning to travel.
|
|
We
|
will need (Future)
|
to
|
travel
|
We will need to travel.
|
|
You
|
should try (Modal)
|
to
|
travel
|
You should try to travel.
|
Informal Spoken Reductions
| Full Form | Spoken Reduction | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
|
want to
|
wanna
|
I wanna go.
|
Never use in formal writing.
|
|
going to
|
gonna
|
I'm gonna win.
|
Used for future intentions.
|
|
got to
|
gotta
|
I gotta leave.
|
Means 'have to' or 'must'.
|
Meanings
A grammatical structure where a primary verb is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to indicate the objective or intent of the subject.
Expressing Desire
Using verbs like 'want', 'wish', or 'would like' to show what someone hopes will happen.
“I want to travel to Japan next year.”
“They would like to order some pizza.”
Expressing Necessity
Using verbs like 'need' or 'have' to show an obligation or requirement.
“We need to buy more milk.”
“You have to wear a seatbelt.”
Expressing Plans and Decisions
Using verbs like 'decide', 'plan', 'hope', or 'agree' to talk about future intentions.
“She decided to quit her job.”
“We are planning to move to London.”
Attempts and Failures
Using verbs like 'try', 'attempt', 'fail', or 'manage' to describe the effort put into an action.
“He tried to open the window.”
“I managed to finish the report on time.”
Reference Table
| Verbo Común | Significado | Ejemplo con Infinitivo | Consejo Rápido |
|---|---|---|---|
|
want
|
Desear/Querer
|
I want to learn Spanish.
|
¡Tu verbo básico para deseos!
|
|
need
|
Necesidad/Requisito
|
You need to register for classes.
|
Algo que *debe* suceder.
|
|
plan
|
Intención/Arreglo
|
We plan to visit Europe next year.
|
Pensando en el futuro.
|
|
decide
|
Tomar una decisión
|
She decided to get a new haircut.
|
Eligiendo una acción.
|
|
hope
|
Esperar algo positivo
|
He hopes to find a good job.
|
Optimista sobre el futuro.
|
|
agree
|
Llegar a un consenso
|
They agreed to share the costs.
|
Llegando a una decisión mutua.
|
|
learn
|
Adquirir habilidad/conocimiento
|
I want to learn to play guitar.
|
Adquiriendo una nueva habilidad.
|
|
promise
|
Dar seguridad
|
I promise to help you tomorrow.
|
Haciendo un compromiso.
|
Espectro de formalidad
I wish to depart now. (Leaving a location)
I want to leave. (Leaving a location)
I wanna go. (Leaving a location)
I'm outtie. (Leaving a location)
Verbos + Infinitivo: Expresando Intención
Deseo / Anhelo
- want I want to relax.
- hope She hopes to succeed.
- wish I wish to speak.
Plan / Intención
- plan We plan to travel.
- decide He decided to study.
- intend They intend to stay.
Necesidad / Obligación
- need You need to finish.
- agree We agreed to meet.
- promise I promise to help.
Habilidad / Esfuerzo
- learn She learned to drive.
- manage He managed to escape.
- afford I can't afford to buy.
Infinitivo vs. Gerundio (Vistazo Rápido)
Eligiendo Infinitivo (to + Verbo)
¿El primer verbo expresa un deseo, un plan o una intención futura?
¿Estás hablando de algo que necesitas hacer, o has decidido hacer?
¿La acción es una habilidad que estás aprendiendo o que lograste realizar?
Grupos de Verbos Infinitivos
Deseo y Futuro
- • want to
- • hope to
- • wish to
- • expect to
- • aim to
Planes y Decisiones
- • plan to
- • decide to
- • intend to
- • agree to
- • refuse to
Necesidad y Esfuerzo
- • need to
- • manage to
- • learn to
- • afford to
- • fail to
Promesas y Ofertas
- • promise to
- • offer to
- • threaten to
- • volunteer to
Ejemplos por nivel
I want to eat.
I want to eat.
I need to sleep.
I need to sleep.
Do you want to play?
Do you want to play?
She needs to go home.
She needs to go home.
I hope to see you soon.
I hope to see you soon.
We decided to stay here.
We decided to stay here.
He promised to call me.
He promised to call me.
They plan to buy a car.
They plan to buy a car.
I managed to finish the work.
I managed to finish the work.
She refused to answer the phone.
She refused to answer the phone.
We agreed not to talk about it.
We agreed not to talk about it.
I am learning to drive a car.
I am learning to drive a car.
He seems to be enjoying the party.
He seems to be enjoying the party.
I didn't expect to be invited.
I didn't expect to be invited.
She appears to have lost her keys.
She appears to have lost her keys.
They hesitated to ask for help.
They hesitated to ask for help.
I would hate for you to miss out.
I would hate for you to miss out.
He neglected to mention the cost.
He neglected to mention the cost.
We endeavored to reach an agreement.
We endeavored to reach an agreement.
To simply ignore the problem is unwise.
To simply ignore the problem is unwise.
She was to have been the keynote speaker.
She was to have been the keynote speaker.
I happened to overhear their conversation.
I happened to overhear their conversation.
The bridge is yet to be completed.
The bridge is yet to be completed.
He was so lucky as to win the lottery.
He was so lucky as to win the lottery.
Fácil de confundir
Learners often put 'to' after all verbs, including modals like 'can', 'must', and 'should'.
Some verbs like 'enjoy' or 'finish' look like they should take 'to' but they take '-ing'.
The verb 'try' can take both, but the meaning changes.
Errores comunes
I want go.
I want to go.
I need eating.
I need to eat.
He wants to goes.
He wants to go.
I must to go.
I must go.
I hope seeing you.
I hope to see you.
She decided to not go.
She decided not to go.
We plan to buying a house.
We plan to buy a house.
I managed finishing.
I managed to finish.
He refused to telling me.
He refused to tell me.
I would like for to go.
I would like to go.
I hesitated to not asking.
I hesitated not to ask.
Patrones de oraciones
I want to ___ because ___.
She decided not to ___ after ___.
Do you need to ___ before you ___?
I managed to ___ despite ___.
Real World Usage
I would like to order the steak, please.
I hope to contribute to your team's success.
Wanna grab a drink later?
I need to check my bags.
I need to see the doctor about my back.
I decided to start a new hobby today!
Piensa en 'Acción Futura'
I hope to travel soon.
¡No Olvides el 'To'!
I want go home). Recuerda, siempre es
Verb + to + Base Verb. El 'to' es una parte crucial de esta estructura de infinitivo. Como en:
You need to listen.
Escucha e Imita
They agreed to meet.
Cortesía con 'Would Like'
es más suave queI want to ask a question".
Smart Tips
Ask yourself: Has the action happened yet? If it's a plan or a wish, use 'to'.
Don't use 'that'. Use the pattern: Want + Person + To + Verb.
Replace 'want to' with 'would like to' or 'wish to' for a more professional tone.
In conversation, we often drop the verb after 'to' if it's already understood.
Pronunciación
The Reduction of 'To'
In natural speech, 'to' is rarely pronounced as /tuː/. It is usually reduced to a schwa /tə/.
Wanna
When 'want' and 'to' are together, they often blend into one word in American English.
Stress on the main verb
I WANT to go. (Emphasis on desire)
Conveys strong feeling about the action.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
W.N.H.D.P: We Never Have Dirty Plates (Want, Need, Hope, Decide, Promise).
Asociación visual
Imagine a physical bridge labeled 'TO' connecting two islands. Island 1 is 'WANT' and Island 2 is 'EAT'. You cannot cross without the 'TO' bridge.
Rhyme
If you want to play or need to stay, don't forget the 'to' today!
Story
I wanted to go to the park. I needed to find my shoes. I promised to be back by five. I managed to arrive on time.
Word Web
Desafío
Write 5 things you plan to do this weekend using 'I plan to...', 'I want to...', and 'I need to...'.
Notas culturales
Using 'I want to' can sometimes sound too direct or demanding. In shops or restaurants, 'I would like to' is preferred for politeness.
The use of 'wanna' is extremely common in pop music and movies, which can make learners think it is acceptable in all situations. It is not.
British speakers might use 'I fancy' + -ing instead of 'I want to' in very casual settings.
In Old English, the infinitive was a single word with a suffix (e.g., 'drincan' for 'to drink'). The word 'to' was originally a preposition indicating direction.
Inicios de conversación
What do you want to do after you finish your English course?
What is something you've always wanted to learn to do?
If you could travel anywhere, where would you choose to go?
Have you ever refused to do something your boss asked?
Temas para diario
Errores comunes
Test Yourself
My sister hopes ___ a scholarship for university.
Find and fix the mistake:
We need buying milk from the store.
Elige la oración correcta:
Score: /3
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercisesI want ___ a new car.
She needs ___ finish her homework.
Find and fix the mistake:
We decided not going to the party.
I plan on visiting London. (plan)
He managed to opening the door.
A: Are you coming? B: No, I promised ___ my mom.
Group: Hope, Decide, Enjoy, Plan
1. I want... 2. I enjoy...
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesI want ___ that new video game everyone is talking about.
They decided moving to a bigger apartment.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Ella espera aprender un nuevo idioma.'
Ordena estas palabras en una oración:
Une los verbos con sus complementos infinitivos apropiados:
Did you manage ___ your flight details?
She offered helping me with my homework.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'No puedo permitirme comprar ese coche.'
Ordena estas palabras en una oración:
We need ___ our meeting until next week.
Score: /12
Preguntas frecuentes (8)
No, in English we say `I want you to go`. We don't use 'that' after 'want'.
Only if it's a very casual email to a close friend. In business or formal writing, always use `want to`.
They are very similar. `Need to` often implies a personal necessity, while `have to` often implies an outside rule or obligation.
It's often historical. However, 'to' usually refers to future or hypothetical actions, while '-ing' refers to real or completed activities.
Yes! This is called a 'split infinitive' (e.g., `to quickly run`). It's common and accepted in modern English.
No. Modal verbs like `can`, `could`, `should`, `must`, and `might` are followed by the base verb without 'to'.
Put 'not' before 'to'. For example: `I decided not to eat meat`.
No. `I'm going to` is for future plans that are already decided. `I want to` just expresses a desire.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Quiero comer
Spanish does not use a connector like 'to' between these verbs.
Je veux manger / J'ai besoin de manger
French uses different prepositions depending on the specific verb.
Ich will essen / Ich versuche zu essen
In German, the 'zu + verb' usually goes at the very end of the sentence.
Tabetai (want to eat)
Japanese uses suffixes rather than separate connecting words.
Urīdu an akula
The verb following 'an' is still conjugated for the person.
Wǒ xiǎng chī
There is no grammatical marker like 'to' in Chinese.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
Verbos con Gerundio o Infinitivo: Sin Cambio de Significado
### Overview Uno de los aspectos más liberadores y, a la vez, curiosos del aprendizaje del inglés en un nivel intermedi...
Estructuras de Información Pasiva (Se dice que él es...)
### Resumen Las estructuras de reporte en pasiva, ejemplificadas por frases como `He is said to be...`, son herramientas...
Pasiva Avanzada: Reportando Rumores y Creencias (Se dice que él es...)
### Overview En el nivel C1, el dominio de las estructuras pasivas avanzadas, específicamente lo que conocemos como `re...
Videos relacionados
05:00 How a Video Game Gave Antarctica Its Flag
03:59 Why I Still Use Paper
09:00 The Deadliest Virus on Earth
Verbos Seguidos de Infinitivo y Gerundio en Inglés: ¡Guía Completa!
Inglés Fácil con Mr. Salas
VERBOS + ING / TO + INFINITIVE | DIFERENCIA | CLASE COMPLETA Y EJEMPLOS EN INGLÉS
Clases con Lily - Aprende Inglés en 2 minutos
Related Grammar Rules
Cláusulas de Participio: Haciendo coincidir la Acción con el Sujeto
Overview ¿Alguna vez les dijiste accidentalmente a tus seguidores de Instagram que tu café matutino se estaba `feeling r...
Gerundios e Infinitivos Pasivos (being done / to be done)
Overview ¿Alguna vez has sentido que eres solo un personaje secundario en una película que está `being directed` (siendo...
Stop + Gerundio vs Infinitivo: Dejar de hacer vs. Parar para hacer
### Overview En el aprendizaje del inglés, uno de los puntos que suele causar más confusión para nosotros, los hispanoh...
Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns (Want to Go / Enjoy Going)
## Infinitives and Gerunds: Verb Patterns ### Verbs + to + infinitive - **want**: I want **to eat**. - **need**: She ne...
Cláusulas de participio en inglés: Haciendo dos cosas a la vez (V-ing)
### Overview Las `participle clauses` con `-ing` (también llamadas `present participle clauses`) son una herramienta fu...
