Progressive Verbs in Spanish

In the grammar of Spanish there are more than 20 tenses, among which are not counted the progressive tenses , which do exist in other languages. On the other hand, in Spanish we have something called verbal periphrasis , which is the equivalent of the present continuous or progressive in English.

What is a verb periphrasis?

A verb periphrasis, also known as a verb structure, is a grammatical structure made up of two or more verbs that take on a new meaning when used together.

In general, these constructions are composed of an auxiliary verb in the conjugated form, a preposition related to that verb, and a main verb in the impersonal form (either the infinitive, the participle, or the gerund). A verbal periphrasis can express the beginning, the duration or the end of an action, as well as the intention that motivates it. One of the most common verb structures in Spanish is ir a + infinitivo , which is the equivalent of the English structure be going to + infinitive.

Types of verb periphrasis in Spanish grammar

Verbal structures in Spanish can be divided into the following three categories: infinitive structures, gerund structures, and participle structures.

Before presenting some examples of these categories, remember that the main verb is the first verb you use in a sentence and that infinitive verbs are those ending in -ar , -er and -ir and are therefore not conjugated. ( singing, running, laughing are some examples).

Verb structures with infinitive

Verbal structures with infinitive are formed with an auxiliary verb + infinitive. They can be divided into modal structures (modal periphrases), which deal with the mood, and temporal structures (temporal periphrases), which deal with time. Most of these structures require a linking word between the auxiliary and the infinitive, usually a preposition or a conjunction.

modal structures

In modal structures , the auxiliary verb expresses the attitude of the speaker (obligation, necessity, possibility, etc.) while the infinitive expresses the action itself. These are some of the most used structures:

• Have to + infinitive . It expresses obligation, necessity or deduction and is the most used of the verbal structures. Example: You have to be home at ten o’clock.
• To have of + infinitive . Expresses being forced to do something. Example: you have to be more careful with those scissors, you can cut yourself again.
• Haber + que + infinitive . Expresses obligation impersonally. Example: you have to call , something may have happened.

temporary structures

Temporal structures situate the action in time and indicate habit and repetition. As we show below, we can organize these structures based on when the action occurs. Some examples:

• Go to + infinitive. Denotes an action that will occur in the near future. Example: I’m going to show you my family’s favorite photos.
• acabar de + infinitive . It means an action that has just finished. Example: you have just called Jorge, he has said that he will be late.

These constructions are only used in two tenses: the present and the imperfect.

In addition, infinitive verb structures can also indicate that an action is about to start or occurs suddenly.

• echarse a + infinitive : he laughed for no reason.
• Ponerse a + infinitive : he began to jump for joy.
• Romper a + infinitive : he broke down crying for no reason.

We also use go to + infinitive to:

Talking about a future event as a logical or obvious result of what we know in the present.

• The train has a mechanical problem, it’s going to leave late (it’s obvious).
• Don’t eat so much, you’re going to get sick (it’s logical).

Report decisions or plans or inquire about the intentions, decisions and plans of others:

• Juan is going to Carmen’s party.
• Next semester I will study more.
• What are you going to do next weekend?

Verb structures with participle

Verbal structures with the participle are formed with an auxiliary verb + participle. The participle always agrees in gender and number with the subject (using the verbs to be, stay, and walk , which express a state) or with the direct object (using the verbs leave, have, give for, and carry , which express a result) and used personally.

• To be + participle : Paco is wet, he played with water.
• Stay + participle : that investment left them ruined.
• Walking + participle: my aunt is always stressed by her work.
• Have + participle : I worked so hard that I already have the car paid for .
• Give for + participle: the judge terminated the session .
• carry + participle: that singer has won many awards.

Verb structures with gerunds

Verbal structures with the gerund are formed with the auxiliary verb + gerund. These structures give information about an action in progress and do not include any linking words (such as a preposition) between the auxiliary and the gerund.

• To be + gerund . Action in progress at the time of speaking. Example: I am looking at the latest news.
• Go + gerund . Gradual progression of an action. Example: the hat was rolling .
• come + gerund Action or situation that has occurred for some time. Example: We have been observing what is happening in this region.
• Follow (and continue) + gerund . Continuous and repeated action. Examples: I still think the same thing; keep bothering in class.

Sources

• Giammatteo, M. and Marcovecchio, A. (nd). Verbal periphrases in Spanish in a lexical-syntactic approach.
• Martinez, E. (2016). History of grammaticalization. Verbal periphrases in Spanish .
• Tresaco, M P. (2003). Infinitive modal verb periphrases .