1. These verbs are followed by the preposition a.

aprender a (to learn to)

enseñar a (to teach to)

ayudar a (to help)

invitar a (to invite to)

comenzar a (to begin to)

ir a (to go to)

empezar a (to begin to)

volver a (to return to)

2. These verbs are followed by de.

acabar de (to just finish)

olvidarse de (to forget)

acordarse de (to remember)

tener ganas de (to feel like)

dejar de (to stop)

tratar de (to try to)

3. Insistir (æto insistÆ) is followed by en, and will call for the subjunctive in the subordinate clause if there is a change of subject.

4. Pensar (æto thinkÆ) can be followed by en or de, depending on the meaning intended: Pienso en ti (æIÆm thinking about youÆ [æYouÆre on my mindÆ]). ¿Qué piensas de ella? (æWhat do you think about her?Æ [æWhat is your reaction,Æ æyour feeling about her?Æ])

NOTE: The prepositions are used only when the grammatical object follows the verb. If no object follows, then no preposition is used: ¿Me ayudas a limpiar las ventanas? Sí, te ayudo.