×

Perífrasis Verbales

Perífrasis Verbales

Auxiliar + infinitivo/gerundio/participio para expresar aspecto y modalidad

Perífrasis Verbales (Verbal Periphrases)

A verbal periphrasis is a structure formed by a conjugated auxiliary verb + a non‑finite verb form (infinitive, gerund, or participle) that works together as a single meaning unit. Periphrases let you express aspect/modality such as start, repetition, intention, duration, result, and more.

There are three main types according to the non‑finite form: infinitive, gerund, and participle periphrases.

Perífrasis de Infinitivo

Infinitive periphrases often express beginning, end, repetition, intention, or a mild obligation.

acabar de + inf. = to have just done
Acabo de llegarI have just arrived
empezar/comenzar a + inf. = to start/begin to
Empezó a lloverIt started to rain
ponerse a + inf. = to set about / suddenly start to
Me puse a estudiarI began to study
dejar/parar de + inf. = to stop doing
Dejé de fumarI stopped smoking
terminar de + inf. = to finish doing
Terminamos de comerWe finished eating
volver a + inf. = to do again
Volvió a llamarHe/She called again
terminar por + inf. = to end up doing
Terminó por aceptarHe/She ended up accepting
tardar en + inf. = to take time to
Tardamos en llegarIt took us time to arrive

Perífrasis de Gerundio

Gerund periphrases express ongoing process, insistence, gradual change, duration, continuity, or a resulting state.

estar + ger. = to be doing
Estoy estudiandoI am studying
andar + ger. = to go around doing
Anda diciendo mentirasHe goes around telling lies
ir + ger. = to be gradually doing
Voy aprendiendo muchoI am gradually learning a lot
venir + ger. = to have been doing
Viene diciendo eso hace añosHe has been saying that for years
llevar + ger. = to have been doing (for)
Llevo estudiando dos horasI have been studying for two hours
seguir/continuar + ger. = to keep/continue doing
Sigo/Continuo trabajandoI keep/continue working
quedarse + ger. = to remain doing
Se quedó mirandoHe/She remained staring

Perífrasis de Participio

Participle periphrases indicate the state or result of an action. Important: The participle must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

estar + part. = to be + state
La puerta está cerrada / Las ventanas están cerradasThe door is closed / The windows are closed
dejar + part. = to leave + done
Dejé hecha la tarea / Dejé hechos los trabajosI left the homework done / I left the assignments done
quedar + part. = to end up/remain + state
Quedó sorprendido / Quedó sorprendidaHe was left surprised / She was left surprised
tener + part. = to have + done/ready
Tengo preparado el informe / Tengo preparadas las presentacionesI have the report prepared / I have the presentations prepared
dar por + part. = to consider + done
Dieron por terminado el proyecto / Dieron por terminadas las tareasThey considered the project finished / They considered the tasks finished
llevar + part. = to have + part done (accumulated)
Lleva escrito medio libro / Lleva escritas dos páginasHe has half the book written / He has two pages written
andar + part. = to be + involved/immersed
Anda metido en problemas / Anda metida en problemasHe is involved in trouble / She is involved in trouble

Master Spanish Periphrases with a Tutor

Periphrases add natural, nuanced expression to your Spanish. A tutor can help you internalize the patterns and choose the right construction in context.