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Esperanto Grammar

The Preposition "en"

In Esperanto, the case of the noun following the preposition en depends on whether you are describing a static location or movement/direction.

  • Location (Where?): If en describes a fixed location, the noun that follows is in the nominative case (its basic form, with no special ending).

    • Example: La libro estas en la ĉambro. (The book is in the room.)

  • Direction (Where to?): If en describes movement into a place, the noun that follows must be in the accusative case, which is indicated by adding an -n at the end.

    • Example: Mi metas la libron en la ĉambron. (I am putting the book into the room.)

Por + Infinitive Rule

Core Rule: The preposition "por" (for/in order to) must be followed by the infinitive form of the verb (ending in -i).

Verb Form Comparison:

Form Ending Usage Examples
Infinitive -i The base form, used after "por" viziti (to visit), manĝi (to eat), lerni (to learn)
Present tense -as Indicates present action vizitas (visits), manĝas (eats), lernas (learns)

Correct Examples: - Ni vojaĝas tra Eŭropo por viziti ilin. ✓ (We are traveling through Europe to visit them.) - Mi studas por lerni lingvojn. ✓ (I study to learn languages.) - Ŝi venas por helpi nin. ✓ (She comes to help us.)

Incorrect Examples: - Ni vojaĝas tra Eŭropo por vizitas ilin. ✗ - Mi studas por lernas lingvojn. ✗ - Ŝi venas por helpas nin. ✗

Memory Aid: Think of it like English "to + verb": - por + infinitive (-i) = to + base verb - por viziti = to visit - por manĝi = to eat