Breakdown of Se ponen muchas multas por infringir las normas.
mucho
a lot
poner
to put / to set (the table) / to make (an excuse) / to give, to impose (a fine, a penalty)
la norma
the rule
la multa
the fine
Questions & Answers about Se ponen muchas multas por infringir las normas.
Why is the infinitive infringir used here instead of the gerund infringiendo?
In Spanish, when a verb immediately follows a preposition like por, it must always be in the infinitive form. Even though English says 'for violating' using the -ing form, saying por infringiendo is grammatically incorrect in Spanish.
Why do we use por instead of para before infringir?
We use por + infinitive to express the cause or reason behind an action, known as the causal infinitive. The fines are given because someone violated the rules. If you used para infringir, it would express purpose, meaning the fines are given 'in order to violate' the rules!
How would the meaning change if the sentence used the compound infinitive por haber infringido?
Using the compound infinitive por haber infringido means 'for having violated'. It places more emphasis on the fact that the violation was fully completed before the fine was issued. However, the simple infinitive por infringir is highly common and natural for stating general causes like this.
Why does the sentence use the verb poner rather than dar for 'giving' a fine?