Spanish Verbal Periphrases: acabar de, volver a, seguir + gerundio
Short answer
Fixed combinations of verb + preposition + infinitive carry meanings Spanish has no single tense for: acabar de (have just done), volver a (do again), ponerse a (start), seguir + gerundio (keep doing), dejar de (stop).
Level B1 · verbs
The rule in full
Small verb + link + infinitive/gerundio/participle. They carry meanings Spanish has no single tense for.
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| acabar de + inf. | to have just | Acabo de llegar. |
| volver a + inf. | to do again | Volvió a llamar. |
| empezar a + inf. | to start | Empecé a estudiar. |
| dejar de + inf. | to stop | Dejé de fumar. |
| tener que + inf. | to have to | Tengo que irme. |
| deber + inf. | should / must | Debes descansar. |
| hay que + inf. | one must (impersonal) | Hay que estudiar. |
| ponerse a + inf. | to set about | Se puso a llorar. |
| seguir + gerundio | to keep on | Sigue lloviendo. |
| llevar + gerundio | to have been -ing | Llevo dos años estudiando. |
Note acabar de in the past means had just: Acababa de salir.
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