Spanish grammar · Upper intermediate (B2)

Verb phrases: acabar de, volver a, seguir + gerund

Spanish verb + infinitive and verb + gerund phrases that show when an action starts, stops, is repeated or continues: acabar de, volver a, dejar de…

What are periphrases?

A “periphrasis” is a conjugated verb + an infinitive (often with a preposition) or a gerund, used together with one meaning. You already know + infinitive (going to), + infinitive (have to) and + gerund (be doing). The first verb changes; the second never does. Pronouns go before the first verb or at the end of the infinitive or gerund: or .

With an infinitive

These phrases show where an action is in time: about to start, starting, repeated, just finished or stopped.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
	to be about to
	to start
	to start (suddenly)
	to burst out (laughing, crying)
	to do again
	to have just
	to stop

With a gerund

+ gerund means “to still be doing”. Its negative is + infinitive. + time + gerund says how long something has been going on (B1).

Seguías hablando por teléfono a las tres.You were still on the phone at three.
Mi madre sigue sin saber nada.My mother still doesn't know anything.
Llevo seis años trabajando aquí.I've been working here for six years.
Sigo diciendo «ahorita».I still say “ahorita”.