How to use The perfect infinitive: haber comido in Spanish

Learn how to use The perfect infinitive: haber comido, and what to use it for in Spanish.
Test your Spanish level for free today with Hotel Borbollón.

TEST YOUR SPANISH Free with no obligation to buy.
4,6 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 7 million users

The perfect infinitive: haber comido

The perfect infinitive refers to an action in the past.

Tendría que haber reservado una mesa en el restaurante.

I should have reserved a table at the restaurant.

It's formed with the infinitive of the auxiliary verb haber + the past participle of the main verb.

Hablar → Haber hablado

To speak → Have spoken

Comer → Haber comido

To eat → Have eaten

Salir → Haber salido

To leave → Have left

It's most commonly used to express regret or reproach someone for something they didn't do.

Tendría que haber cerrado la ventana antes de salir.

I should have closed the window before leaving.

 Deberías haber salido antes para no llegar tarde.

You should have left earlier so as not to be late.

Note: to express a reproach, we can use it by itself.

—¡Tengo hambre! —¡Haber comido!

-I'm hungry! -You should have eaten!

Still facing difficulties with 'The perfect infinitive: haber comido'? Learn and enhance your Spanish grammar through our online Spanish course. Start with a free test and improve today!

TEST YOUR SPANISH

What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online Spanish lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my Spanish. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Improve your Spanish further and test Hotel Borbollón, online Spanish lessons.