Common Verbal Periphrases

Kurz erklärt

Spanish often combines a conjugated verb with an infinitive or gerund to express ideas such as plans, obligation, recent actions, repetition, or an action in progress. These combinations are called verbal periphrases. The first verb carries the tense and agrees with the subject; the second verb stays in its nonfinite form.

Bildung

conjugated verb + linking word (if required) + infinitive or gerund: voy a salir, tengo que trabajar, estoy leyendo

Verwendung

• Use ir a + infinitive for a plan or something expected soon.
• Use tener que + infinitive for obligation and acabar de + infinitive for something that has just happened.
• Use volver a + infinitive for repetition and dejar de + infinitive for stopping an activity.
• Use estar + gerund for an action in progress and seguir + gerund for an action that continues.

Beispiele

• Voy a llamar a mi mamá esta noche. — I’m going to call my mom tonight.
• Acabamos de llegar a casa. — We just arrived home.
• Tienes que volver a enviar el formulario. — You have to send the form again.
• Aunque está cansada, sigue trabajando. — Although she’s tired, she keeps working.

Typischer Fehler

❌ Estoy estudiar para el examen.

✅ Estoy estudiando para el examen.

After estar in the progressive periphrasis, use the gerund, not the infinitive.

Merke

Conjugate only the first verb. Learn whether each periphrasis requires a linking word, an infinitive, or a gerund.