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Verbal Periphrasis with Participle

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Las Perífrasis Verbales con participio are the combination of two verbs in which the first verb is the one that is conjugated in any tense and any form or person and the second verb stays in the past participle form. There's no preposition linking both verbs.

Here is a list of a few common períffrasis verbales followed by a past participle and its uses:

1. Llevar + participio

Indicates that an action has been happening for some time but it's still not completed.

Llevo andados tres kilómetros y aún me quedan más de dos.
I've already walked more kilometers and I still have two more to go.

2. Andar + participio

It is used to express a situation that has been going on for too long.

Andamos parados desde hace más de cuatro meses.
We've been unemployed for more than four months.

3. Tener + participio

Expresses an action completed in the past.

Ya tengo comprado el traje para la boda de mi hermana.
I've already bought the suit for my sister's wedding.

4. Ir + participio

It refers to an action that is happening now.

Vas cansada de tanto peso que llevas.
You are tired because you are carrying a lot of weight.

5. Dar + participio

This perífrasis is usually found with the preposition "por" linking the two verbs and it expresses that an action was concluded unilaterally.

El profesor dio por explicada la lección aunque los alumnos no la entendieron.
The professor considered the lesson done even though the students didn't understand it.

6. Ser + participio

It is used to form the passive voice.

La Sagrada Familia fue diseñada por Antonio Gaudí.
The Sagrada Familia was designed by Antonio Gaudi.

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