Spanish expressions (III)

To conclude with the topic of Spanish expressions, here's what you still need to know:

Periphrasis of the infinitive

There are different types of infinitive periphrasis: inceptive, conclusion, obligation, repetitive, probability.

1) ir a + infinitivo

It is equal to saying "to be about to do something". It implies the subject has the intention to act.

Examples: Te voy a leer una carta. (I'm going to read you a letter).

Vamos a preparar la cena. (We are going to make dinner).

This periphrasis could also be used to express an obligation.

For example: vas a hacerlo, aunque no tengas ganas. (You are going to do it, even if you don't feel like it).

Vais a estudiarlo, porque tenéis un examen (You are going to study it, because you have an exam).

When used in the future, in a negative sentence, it takes a warning tone that expresses concern.

Example: No irás a decirme ahora que no puedes acompañarme (You are not going to tell me that you are not comin with me?). No irás a enamorar allí, lo prometiste.

In exclamatory or interrogative sentences, this periphrasis is expressed by placing the verb before the subject. Example: ¿Por qué iba yo a contarte mi vida? (Why would I tell you about my life). ¿Por qué iba a ayudaros? (Why would I help you?)

2) empezar/comenzar a + infinitivo

This construct is used to express something suddenly starting. Example:

tenía tanto interés que se puso a trabajar en el proyecto desde el primer día (he was so interested in the project that he put himself to work from the very first day).

In the present tense, we express the immediate intention to start an action in the following way.

Example: yo te ayudo, no te preocupes: enseguida me pongo a trabajar. Ya nos ponemos a estudiar gramática. (I'll help you, don't worry: I'll put myself to work right away: we start with the grammar right now. )

4) echar(se) a + infinitive

With this construct, we express the beginning of an unexpected event. Exaple: estábamos hablando y se echó a llorar (we were talking and he suddely started crying).

Al oír el chiste se echaron a reír (When they heard the joke, they started laughing)

The construct ¨echar a¨ is used with vers that express movement.

Example: Hablábamos y él echó a correr (we were talking when he started running).

5) romper a + infinitivo

This construct also expresses an action that is about to begin, but is more formal than ¨escharse a¨. We use it with verbs such as: reír (laugh), llorar (cry), hablar (talk), gritar (shout). Example: Rompió a reír al verlo desfrazado (She broke into laughter when she saw him all dressed up).

With the verbs "andar" (to walk) and "hablar" (to talk), this construct also expresses the first time a person does that action.

Exaple: Mi hijo rompió a andar a los 13 meses (my child started walking when he was 13 months old).

6) liarse a + infinitivo

This construct expresses the beginning of an action we do without realizing it. Example: Estaba distraído, me lié a echar sal a comida y ahora no se la puede comer (I was distracted, I started putting salt in the food and now it's not good to eat anymore).

7) meterse a + infinitivo

When someone starts doing something unusual for them or that they have not the ability to do. Example: Ahora Pablo se mete a deseñar joyas (Now Pablo started to design jewels).

It can also express a hint of carelessness, boldness or a lack of consciousness. Sometimes it suggests a reproach or a mockery. Example: ¿Te has metido a vender coches? (So now you started selling cars!?).

With the negative form of imperative. it is used to give a warning.

Example: No os metáis a arreglar el coche. Pagaréis mucho. (Don't try and fix the car. You'll pay a lot. )

8) darle a alguien por + infinitivo

This is a construct used when talking about an unexpected action, when we start doing something for a whim.

Example: Ahora le ha dado por jugar al tenis por todas las mañanas. Cuando tenía 18 años me dio por dejarme bigote (Now he's into playing tennis every morning. When he was 18, he was into letting his mustache grow)

9) pasar a + infinitivo

This construct express continuity with another action. Example: Después de rellenar el primer formulario pasé a rellenar el segundo (After filling in the first questionnaire, I went on with the second)

10) acabar de + infinitivo

This construct shows that the action expressed in the infinitive form has just happened. It is used only in the present and imperfect tenses.

Examples: Acabo de llegar a casa (I've just arrived home). No tengo hambre porque acabo de comer (I'm not hungry because I just finished eating).

On the negative form, this construct expresses an "attenuated" action. Example: No acabo de entender tu comportamiento (I don't quite understand your behaviour)

It is also used to express a concern or a worry about actions that have not shown their final result yet.

Example: No acabo de recibir la carta de información de mi ingreso en la universidad (I still haven't received the confirmation letter of my admission to university).

11) dejar de + infinitivo

This construct is used when an action that has been going on for a while, stops. Examples: Mi padre dejó de fumar (my dad stopped smoking). Ellos dejaron de estudiar cuando teían 16 años (they stopped studying when they were 16).

In the negative form, it is used to express an action that has not been interrupted. Examples: todavía no ha dejado de llover (it still hasn't stopped raining). Su marido no ha dejado de fumar (Her husband has not stopped smoking).

12) dejarse de + infinitivo

This contruct is used to give advice, especially to tell someone to stop doing something. Example: ¡Déjate de hacerte tonto! (Stop acting dumb!)

13) llegar a + infinitivo

This construct expresses an action that finally ends. Example: después de mucho discutir llegó a vendérmelo baratito (After a long discussion, he ended up selling it to me quite cheap. )

It has an hint of ¨going to the extreme of something¨. Example: Estaba tan furioso que llegó a pegarle (he was so furious that he got to the point of hitting them).

In the negative form, it shows that the action could have been realized, but it did not. Example: los dos estuvimos en Barcelona aquel verano pero no llegamos a vernos (we were both in Barcelona that summer but we did not see each other).

14) acabar por + infinitivo

This construct expresses that something ahppened after an action was carried out consistently. The sentence has a sense of tragedy and misfortune. Example: Sus repetidas broncas acabaron por hacerle llora (His many scolds eventually made them cry).

What is the difference between "llegar a" and "acabar por"? The first is used to express some sort of final result, while the second is used to express a situation that ends with bad luck.

Examples:

• Después de una hora de discusión llegó a darme la razón.

(After arguing for an hour, he eventually admitted I was right)

• Después de una hora de discusión acabó por darme la razón. (me la dio, pero no creía que la tuviera)

(After arguing for an hour, he gave up and said I was right - without actually believing it)

15) venir a + infinitivo

Construct used to express authenticity. Example: La carencia y el exceso venían a significar lo mismo (lack and excess came to mean the same).

When verbs express precise actions and imformation, it has a vague meaning. Example: su madre venía a salir de casa sobre las 11 de la mañana (His mother left the house around 11 in the morning).

It could also mean reaching the culmination of several events. Example: Todo lo que vieron les vino a confirmar sus opiniones (All those who saw it, came to give their opinions).

16) tener que + infinitivo

This construct expresses the responsibility or necessity to do something. It is implied that this necessity is given by a specific situation. Example: ahora tengo que estudiar. Mira hijo... no tenemos mucho dinero, y por eso tienes que trabajar (Now I need to study. Look, kid, we don't have a lot of money, that's why you need to work. )

In the imperfect with "infinotivos compuestos" we can express an unaccomplished dream. Example:Tenía que haberme callado (I had to shut up).

17) haber de + infinitivo

This construct expresses obligation as well, but is not very commonly used. Example: He de ir mañana al médico (I have to go to the doctor tomorrow).

18) haber que + infinitivo

Only used in the impersonal form HAY QUE. Example: Hay que estudiar más (I have to study more).

¡Madre mía! So much knowledge poured on this page! I hope that you will use this information wisely and that it will help you improve your Spanish!

¡Os deseo buena suerte!

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