Constructions with Verbs
Spanish: AQA A Level, topic 16.32.1
Construcciones con Verbos - Constructions with Verbs
Verb Constructions
- Spanish verbs can change their meaning when they are used in a certain construction.
- For example, acabar means 'to finish', but acabar de means 'to have just'.
Some Constructions
- acabar de - to have just.
- tener que - to have to.
- haber que - to have to (impersonal, used without a specific subject).
- estar a punto de - to be about to.
Examples
- Tienes que terminar tus deberes porque estamos a punto de comer.
- You have to finish your homework because we are about to eat.
- Hay que preparar las verduras porque el agua está hirviendo.
- You have to prepare the vegetables because the water is boiling.
- Hubo que salir corriendo del edificio a causa del incendio.
- People had to run out of the building because of the fire.