Verbal Periphrases (llevar + gerundio, acabar de, ...)
Las perífrasis verbales (llevar + gerundio, acabar de, ...) • B2 • 12 tarjetas
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Acabar de + infinitivo
To have just (done something)
📌 Nota gramatical
Formed with the conjugated verb 'acabar' + 'de' + an infinitive. It expresses an action that has happened a very short time ago in the past. It is exclusively used in the present and imperfect indicative tenses to convey immediate past.
Ejemplo
Llevar + gerundio
To have been doing something for a period of time
📌 Nota gramatical
Combines the conjugated verb 'llevar' with a gerund. It highlights the duration of an ongoing action up to the present moment, often answering the question '¿Cuánto tiempo...?' It is roughly equivalent to the English present perfect continuous.
Ejemplo
Estar a punto de + infinitivo
To be about to (do something)
📌 Nota gramatical
Consists of 'estar', the preposition 'a', the noun 'punto', 'de', and an infinitive verb. It expresses an action that is going to take place immediately in the very near future.
Ejemplo
Volver a + infinitivo
To do something again
📌 Nota gramatical
Formed with 'volver' (conjugated) + 'a' + infinitive. It indicates the repetition of an action. It corresponds closely to the English prefix 're-' or the adverb 'again'.
Ejemplo
Dejar de + infinitivo
To stop doing something
📌 Nota gramatical
Combines 'dejar' (conjugated) + 'de' + infinitive. In the affirmative, it means to cease or stop an activity. In the negative ('no dejar de'), it means not to fail to do something or to keep on doing it.
Ejemplo
Llegar a + infinitivo
To manage to, to end up, to come to (do something)
📌 Nota gramatical
Expresses the culmination, achievement, or progressive realization of an action over time, often implying effort or a surprising outcome. It can also mean 'to reach the point of'.
Ejemplo
Estar por + infinitivo
To be yet to (do something) / To be in favor of
📌 Nota gramatical
Has two distinct meanings depending on context: 1) An action that remains pending or unfinished (equivalent to 'todavía por'). 2) To be inclined toward or in favor of doing something.
Ejemplo
Seguir / Seguir sin + gerundio / infinitivo
To keep on doing / To still not have done
📌 Nota gramatical
'Seguir + gerundio' indicates the continuation of an action (equivalent to 'continuar'). 'Seguir sin + infinitivo' highlights that a pending action has still not been performed.
Ejemplo
Quedarse en + gerundio
To end up doing / To remain doing something
📌 Nota gramatical
Combines 'quedarse' with a gerund to emphasize that someone remains in a specific state or continues performing an action as a result of a circumstance.
Ejemplo
Pasar a + infinitivo
To go on to (do something next)
📌 Nota gramatical
Indicates progression to a subsequent stage in a sequence of actions, presentations, or agenda items. Very common in formal speeches, classes, and professional meetings.
Ejemplo
Dar por + participio / + sentado
To consider something as (done / granted)
📌 Nota gramatical
Combines 'dar' + 'por' + a participle or adjective. It expresses that someone considers an action finished or a fact established and unquestionable.
Ejemplo
Venir a + infinitivo
To come to / To amount to / To approximately be
📌 Nota gramatical
Used to express an approximation in quantity, cost, or time, or to conclude the meaning or essence of something ('viene a decir que...').
Ejemplo
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