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Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn to express recent actions with "acabar de" (I just finished), beginnings with "empezar a" (I started to), and repetitions using "volver a" (I did again) plus the infinitive, enhancing your everyday Spanish.
  1. The phrase acabar de + infinitivo is used to express an action that has just been completed.
  2. The verb empezar a is used to express the beginning of an action.
  3. It is used volver a to indicate the repetition of an action.
FórmulaUsoEjemplo
Acabar de + infinitivoPara expresar una acción que ha terminado recientemente. (To express an action that has just finished.)Acabo de probar la tortilla.
Empezar a + infinitivoPara indicar el inicio de una acción. (To indicate the beginning of an action.)Empecé a probar las tapas después de llegar al restaurante.
Volver a + infinitivoPara indicar la repetición de una acción. (To indicate the repetition of an action.)Volví a pedir las croquetas porque estaban deliciosas.

Exercise 1: "Acabar de", "empezar a" , "volver a" + infinitivo

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

empiezan a, acaban de, empecé a, vuelve a, acabamos de, acabas de

1. Acción recién terminada:
: Ellas ... llegar en el restaurante.
(They have just arrived at the restaurant.)
2. Repetición de una acción:
: Él ... probar el pincho, está delicioso.
(He tries the skewer again, it is delicious.)
3. Acción recién terminada (ellos):
: Hace unos momentos ... ordenar la comida para llevar y se van a casa.
(They have just ordered the food to take away and are going home.)
4. Acción recién terminada:
: Nosotros ... pedir comida rápida.
(We have just ordered fast food.)
5. Inicio de una acción:
: Ellos ... probar las tapas en cuanto llegan al restaurante.
(They start tasting the tapas as soon as they arrive at the restaurant.)
6. Repetición de una acción:
: Ella ... pedir patatas fritas porque la última vez le gustó mucho.
(She asks for chips again because she liked them a lot last time.)
7. Inicio de una acción:
: Yo ... sentirme lleno después de la pasta.
(I started to feel full after the pasta.)
8. Acción recién terminada:
: Tú ... probar la tortilla, ¿verdad?
(You have just tasted the omelette, haven’t you?)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Select the correct sentence that appropriately uses the periphrases 'acabar de', 'empezar a', or 'volver a' with the infinitive according to the context.

1.
The preposition 'de' is missing after 'acabar' to form the correct periphrasis.
'Acabar de' is the correct form; 'acabar a' is not appropriate in this expression.
2.
'Empezar de' is not used in this periphrasis; it should be 'empezar a'.
The preposition 'a' is missing after 'empezar' to keep the correct construction.
3.
The preposition 'a' is missing between 'volver' and the infinitive verb.
'Volver de' is not the correct form in this expression; 'volver a' should be used.
4.
Incorrect use of preposition and verbal form; it should be 'acabo de terminar el pedido'.
The gerund should not be used with 'acabar de'; the infinitive is required after 'acabar de'.

Understanding the Spanish Periphrases "Acabar de", "Empezar a", and "Volver a" + Infinitive

This lesson focuses on three important Spanish verbal periphrases used to express timing and repetition of actions. These structures combine a conjugated verb with an infinitive verb to convey when an action happens: if it has just finished, is beginning, or is being repeated.

Key Periphrases and Their Functions

  • Acabar de + infinitive: Used to indicate that an action has just been completed.
  • Empezar a + infinitive: Used to express the start of an action.
  • Volver a + infinitive: Used to signify the repetition of an action.

Examples to Illustrate Usage

  • Acabo de probar la tortilla. – I have just tasted the omelet.
  • Empecé a probar las tapas después de llegar al restaurante. – I started tasting the tapas after arriving at the restaurant.
  • Volví a pedir las croquetas porque estaban deliciosas. – I ordered the croquettes again because they were delicious.

Summary of Usage

These periphrases help you describe the timing of actions clearly and naturally. Remember:

  • Acabar de: for recent past actions you just finished.
  • Empezar a: for actions you are beginning or have just begun.
  • Volver a: when you do the same action again.

Differences Between English and Spanish Structures

In English, expressing these nuances often requires additional words or phrases, whereas Spanish uses these concise periphrastic verb forms. For example:

  • Acabar de: English uses "to have just" + past participle, but Spanish uses "acabar de" + infinitive, keeping the following verb in its simplest form.
  • Empezar a: English can say "start to" or "start -ing"; in Spanish, the preposition "a" is necessary before the infinitive.
  • Volver a: To express repetition, English often repeats the verb or uses "again," while Spanish requires "volver a" + infinitive to imply the repeated action.

Useful Spanish Expressions Highlighted

  • Acabar de + infinitive – "to have just done something"
  • Empezar a + infinitive – "to start to do something"
  • Volver a + infinitive – "to do something again"

By mastering these periphrases, learners can communicate action timing with precision and confidence.

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