Daddy Learns Spanish

Lesson 46 · Usage

  1. Teach

  2. Fill it in 5

  3. Say it 3

  4. Review 4

After a preposition, the infinitive

sin decir nada

without saying anything· tap the form for the whole table

Say these out loud

Why it works

Where English uses -ing after a preposition, Spanish uses the plain infinitive.

Antes de salir, después de comer, sin decir nada, para empezar.

The gerund never follows a preposition. Sin diciendo is not Spanish.

Why not sin diciendo

salí sin diciendo nada

I left without saying nothing

A direct copy of English. Spanish needs the infinitive: sin decir.

In a full sentence

  • Salí de la reunión sin decir nada.

    I left the meeting without saying anything.

    After sin, Spanish uses the infinitive.

  • Él salió de la oficina sin decir nada.

    He left the office without saying anything.

    After sin, Spanish uses the infinitive.

  • Antes de salir, llamé a mi casero.

    Before leaving, I called my landlord.

    After antes de, Spanish uses the infinitive.

  • Antes de salir, ella apagó el ordenador.

    Before leaving, she turned off the computer.

    After antes de, Spanish uses the infinitive.

5 gaps to fill, then 3 sentences from the English · say or type each one