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Compound verb structures (auxiliary + infinitive/gerund) that express aspect, obligation, and phase of an action. Use this page to study the core Spanish words, English meanings, part-of-speech labels, and example sentences for this topic.
Review each word with examples and usage notes where available.
Voy a salir en cinco minutos.
I'm going to leave in five minutes.
Expresses planned future or intention. The most common periphrasis in spoken Spanish.
Lleva tres horas trabajando.
He has been working for three hours.
"Llevar + gerund" = duration of ongoing action. Contrast: "Lleva dos años viviendo aquí" = has lived here for 2 years.
Sigue lloviendo después de tres días.
It keeps raining after three days.
Emphasises continuation of an already-started action.
Dejó de fumar hace un año.
He stopped smoking a year ago.
Marks the end of a habitual action. "No dejar de" = to never stop / to make sure to.
Acabo de llegar a casa.
I have just arrived home.
Used in present or imperfect: "Acababa de salir cuando llamaste" = had just left when you called.
Volvió a intentarlo y lo consiguió.
He tried it again and succeeded.
Equivalent to doing something "once more". Very elegant alternative to "otra vez + verb".
Hay que estudiar más para el examen.
One must study more for the exam.
Always impersonal (no subject). "Hay que" = general necessity. Compare "tener que" = personal obligation.
Tienes que entregar el informe hoy.
You have to hand in the report today.
Personal obligation — subject must do the action. Conjugate "tener" for each person.
Se echó a llorar al oír la noticia.
She burst into tears when she heard the news.
Used with: reír, llorar, correr, temblar. Implies an involuntary, sudden beginning.
Se puso a trabajar sin descanso.
She set to work without stopping.
Marks the start of an intentional action. Contrast with "echarse a" (involuntary start).
Empezó a llover durante la excursión.
It started to rain during the excursion.
Neutral marker of beginning. Synonyms: comenzar a, ponerse a (more abrupt).
¿Has terminado de comer?
Have you finished eating?
Marks the completion of an action. Do not confuse with "acabar de" (which means "just did").
Estoy preparando la cena ahora mismo.
I'm preparing dinner right now.
Emphasises an action in progress at the moment of speaking. Less common for future plans than in English.
Anda diciendo mentiras por ahí.
He goes around telling lies.
Colloquial. Implies the action is habitual, aimless, or mildly negative.