Verbal Paraphrases
Spanish: AQA A Level, topic 16.15.1
Perífrasis verbales - Verbal Paraphrases
These occur when two or more verbs take on a new meaning when used together.
Verbal Paraphrases
- Verbal Paraphrases are the conjunction of two verbs. The construction takes on a new meaning when used together.
- The first verb is conjugated and the second is most of the times in the infinitive.
Some verbal paraphrases
- Some examples of verbal paraphrases are the following:
- ir a + infinitivo - to be going to
- tener que + infinitivo - to have to
- haber que + infinitivo - to have to
- estar a punto de + infinitivo - to be about to
- echarse a + infinitivo - to start to
Exceptions
- Some exceptions of paraphrases that do not go with the infinitive are the following:
- tener entendido - to come to understand
- llevar + past participle - already have done
- llevar + gerund - to have been + verb-ing
Examples
- Tengo que ir al supermercado porque me falta leche para el café.
- I have to go to the supermarket because I don’t have any milk for the coffee
- Llevo estudiando español desde hace quince años.
- I’ve been studying Spanish for fifteen years.
More examples
- Hay que llegar a tiempo porque sino el profesor se enfadará.
- You have to arrive on time because if not, the teacher will get angry.
- Llevo hechas las tres tartas para la fiesta de cumpleaños de mi pareja.
- I’ve made three cakes for my partner’s birthday party.
Test yourself on Verbal Paraphrases
How do you say 'I'm going to have dinner' in Spanish?