solíainfinitive

Solíainfinitive is a Spanish grammatical construction formed with the imperfect indicative of the auxiliary verb soler followed by an infinitive, used to express habitual actions in the past. In standard terminology this pattern is known as soler + infinitive, with the common past-habitual form produced by solía + infinitive.

Conjugation and form follow the forms of soler. In the present tense, soler appears as suelo, sueles, suele, solemos, soléis, suelen, which governs an infinitive (e.g., suelo comer temprano). In the imperfect, used for past habits, the forms are solía, solías, solía, solíamos, solíais, solían, always followed by an infinitive (e.g., cuando era joven, solía ir al parque).

Usage and meaning center on habitual or customary actions in the past. Examples include: "Cuando era niño, solía ir al cine los sábados" (When I was a child, I used to go to the cinema on Saturdays). "Solíamos desayunar temprano" (We used to have breakfast early). The construction is commonly translated as “used to” or “would” in English, depending on the context. It can also appear in negative forms: "no solía estudiar los fines de semana" (I didn’t usually study on weekends).

Notes and variations: soler behaves as a semi-auxiliary; it requires an infinitive rather than a finite clause. It contrasts with the present habitual use, expressed as suelo + infinitive, which describes current routines. Etymologically, soler comes from Latin solēre, meaning to be accustomed. Related expressions include tener por costumbre and acostumbrar, which can convey similar meanings in appropriate contexts.