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Verbal periphrases: Infinitive and gerund

Learn to use verbal periphrases in Spanish with practical examples.

Gramática: Perífrasis verbales: Infinitivo y gerundio

B1 Spanish Auxiliary verb + infinitive or gerundium

Level: B1

Module 3: Sueños (Dreams)

Lesson 21: Legado y homenaje (Legacy and tribute)

Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Audio and video

  1. Verbal periphrases combine an auxiliary verb and a main verb in the infinitive or gerund to express action, obligation, repetition, or continuity.
Perífrasis Ejemplo 
Deber + InfinitivoLas personas deben reflexionar sobre cómo vivir con propósito. (People should reflect on how to live with purpose.)
Dejar de + infinitivoEs importante dejar de ignorar a las personas vulnerables. (It is important to stop ignoring vulnerable people.)
Volver a + infinitivoEl oficio de maestro nos inspira a volver a ser un ejemplo. (The profession of being a teacher inspires us to become an example again.)
Estar + gerundioAna está creciendo como persona al conocerse a sí misma. (Ana is growing as a person by getting to know herself.)
Seguir + gerundioPedro sigue ayudando a las personas para estar en paz consigo mismo. (Pedro keeps helping people to be at peace with himself.)

Exercise 1: Perífrasis verbales: Infinitivo y gerundio

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

reflexionar, dejar, sentirme, creciendo, siendo, tener, jugando, reflexionando

1.
Debemos ... de preocuparnos tanto por el futuro y empezar a disfrutar del presente.
(We should stop worrying so much about the future and start enjoying the present.)
2.
Debo ... más sobre el sentido de la vida para vivir con un propósito más claro.
(I must reflect more on the meaning of life to live with a clearer purpose.)
3.
Sigue ... como persona y alcanzarás tus metas.
(Keep growing as a person and you will reach your goals.)
4.
Mi abuelo sigue ... a la lotería.
(My grandfather is still playing the lottery.)
5.
Estoy ... mucho.
(I am reflecting a lot.)
6.
Con el nuevo trabajo deja de ... estrés y está más optimista.
(With the new job, he stops being stressed and is more optimistic.)
7.
Está ... muy difícil estar en paz en este mundo tan caótico.
(It is becoming very difficult to be at peace in this chaotic world.)
8.
Quiero volver a ... tan alegre como antes.
(I want to feel as cheerful as before.)

Exercise 2: Translate and use in a sentence

Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.

1

creciendo

growing

2

dejar

stop

3

sentirme

feel

4

reflexionar

reflect