Verbal Periphrases

Marta:	Esta semana empezamos tema nuevo, Jullion. ¡Una lección interesantísima! Vamos a estudiar Perífrasis verbales.
Jullion:	Vaya, el nombre asusta un poco, eh. Pero no es para tanto. Seguro que nuestros amigos van a disfrutar muchísimo con las próximas lecciones.
Marta:	Por supuesto. Acabamos de empezar y ya hemos utilizado perífrasis verbales en tres ocasiones. Vamos a estudiar, van a disfrutar y la última ha sido…
Jullion:	¡Acabamos de empezar!

    

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Verbal Periphrases

Las Perífrasis Verbales are the combination of two verbs, sometimes linked by a preposition or relative pronoun, being the first verb the one that is conjugated and the second verb the one that always stays in the infinitive, gerund, or participle form.

There are three types of Perífrasis Verbales:

1. Verb conjugated (+ preposition) + infinitive

In this group of perífrasis, the first verb is the one that is conjugated in any tense and any form or person and the second verb stays in the infinitive form. It is common to find a preposition linking these two verbs but sometimes we can also find these kind of perífrasis without a linking preposition.

Voy a comprar unas revistas al quiosco. ¿Necesitas algo?
I'm going to buy some magazines to the kiosk. Do you need anything?

Te llamo en un minuto. Acabo de salir del gimnasio.
I'll call you in a minute. I just left the gym.

No puedo resolver este ejercicio. Volveré a empezarlo.
I can't solve this exercise. I'll start over.

2. Verb conjugated + gerund

In this group of perífrasis, the first verb is the one that is conjugated in any tense and any form or person and the second verb stays in the gerund form. There's no preposition linking both verbs.

Llevo caminando por más de dos horas. Necesito sentarme.
I've been walking for more than two hours. I need to sit down.

Sigue inflando globos para la fiesta. ¡Necesitamos muchísimos!
Keep blowing up balloons for the party. We need a lot!

Estaré haciendo mis ejercicios de pilates toda la tarde.
I'll be doing my pilates exercises the whole afternoon.

3. Verb conjugated + participle

In this group of perífrasis, the first verb is the one that is conjugated in any tense and any form or person and the second verb stays in the participle form. There's no preposition linking both verbs.

El informe está hecho desde ayer por la tarde.
The report has been done since yesterday afternoon.

Te tengo dicho que no pongas los pies en el sofa.
I have told you not to put your feet on the sofa.

El Quijote lleva escrito desde hace más de 400 años.
The Quixote has been written since more than 400 years ago.

    

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