| verb + a + infinitive | the verb takes the preposition before the infinitive | Se negó a responder. | He refused to answer. |
| verb + preposition + que + clause | the preposition stays; the meaning decides the mood | Cuento con que vengas. | I'm counting on you to come. |
| With and without a preposition | the preposition changes the meaning of the verb | Cuento un chiste. / Cuento con mi hermano. | I tell a joke. / I count on my brother. |
| Fixed construction | the preposition is part of the verb | Me di cuenta de mi error. | I realised my mistake. |
| difícil + de + infinitive | the subject receives the action of the infinitive | Este texto es difícil de leer. | This text is hard to read. |
| C1Two constructions | some verbs take a direct object or a prepositional object | Cuida a Ana. / Cuida de Ana. | He looks after Ana. / He takes care of Ana. |
| C1noun + preposition + infinitive | the noun takes de or a before the infinitive | Siento el deseo de volver. | I feel the desire to return. |
| C1adjective + preposition + infinitive | before an infinitive or an indirect question | Estoy deseoso de verte. | I'm eager to see you. |
| C2adjective + de + noun | the adjective agrees with the subject or, after de, with the noun | Luisa es corta de entendimiento. / Luisa es de entendimiento corto. | Luisa is slow-witted. / Luisa is slow of understanding. |
| C2Thing as object | contestar a allows la; referirse a does not | La contestó. / Se refirió a ella. | He answered it. / He referred to it. |
| C1Trap | before que, the verb keeps its preposition | Me alegro de que hayas ido. | I'm glad you went. |
| C1Trap | if the verb takes no preposition, none is added before que | Pienso que tienes razón. | I think you're right. |