When learning Spanish, you quickly realize that knowing verb tenses is not enough to express subtle meanings such as duration, intention, obligation, probability, or the result of an action.
To sound natural and precise, Spanish relies heavily on verbal periphrases (perífrasis verbales): structures formed by a conjugated verb + a non-finite verb form (infinitive, gerund, or participle) that add a specific nuance to the action.
In this article, we’ll explore the main perífrasis de infinitivo, de gerundio, and de participio, with clear explanations and practical examples to help you understand when and how they’re used.
1. What is a verbal periphrasis?
A verbal periphrasis is a construction made up of:
- A conjugated verb (which carries person, tense, and mood),
- A non-finite verb form (infinitive, gerund, or participle).
Examples:
– Voy a estudiar.
– Estoy leyendo.
– Tengo hecha la tarea.
In these sentences, voy, estoy, and tengo do not keep their original standalone meaning. Instead, the combination of both elements creates a single unified meaning.
Spanish verbal periphrases fall into three broad categories:
- Perífrasis de infinitivo
- Perífrasis de gerundio
- Perífrasis de participio
Let’s look at them one by one.
2. Perífrasis de infinitivo
The perífrasis de infinitivo are extremely common in everyday Spanish. They are mainly used to express future intention, obligation, probability, repetition, or the cessation of an action.
2.1 Acabar de + infinitivo
Equivalent to “to have just” in English. It describes an action completed very recently.
– Acabo de llegar a la ciudad y todavía no he pasado por casa.
2.2 Deber + infinitivo
It expresses obligation, necessity, or advice. Depending on context, it may sound like a strong rule or simply a recommendation.
– Debe hacer dieta para adelgazar.
2.3 Deber de + infinitivo
Be careful: adding de changes the meaning. Deber de expresses probability or assumption. It’s used when making a hypothesis.
– Debe de estar enferma porque no la he visto en todo el día.
2.4 Dejar de + infinitivo
It means “to stop doing something.” It emphasizes the interruption of an action or habit.
– Por fin he dejado de fumar.
2.5 Haber que + infinitivo
It expresses impersonal obligation, equivalent to “it’s necessary to” or “you have to” in a general sense. It’s very common for rules or instructions.
– Hay que llamar antes de entrar.
2.6 Ir a + infinitivo
It expresses near future or intention. It’s extremely common in conversation.
– Voy a buscarme un café, ¿quieres uno?
2.7 Llevar sin + infinitivo
It indicates how long an action has not taken place. It emphasizes the duration of non-occurrence.
– Llevo dos meses sin fumar.
2.8 No acabar de + infinitivo
It expresses difficulty fully completing or understanding something. It suggests a sense of incompleteness or dissatisfaction.
– No acabo de entender por qué dejó el trabajo si tenía un buen sueldo.
2.9 Poder + infinitivo
It indicates possibility, ability, or permission.
– Tranquilo, puedo acabarlo para mañana.
2.10 Seguir sin + infinitivo
It indicates that something still hasn’t happened, despite time passing or repeated attempts.
– Me lo has explicado muchas veces, pero yo sigo sin entender por qué dejó el trabajo.
2.11 Tener que + infinitivo
It expresses personal obligation or necessity.
– Tengo que hablarte urgentemente.
2.12 Volver a + infinitivo
It expresses repetition — doing something again after an interruption.
– Vuelvo a fumar después de tres meses sin probar el tabaco. ¡Qué lástima!
3. Perífrasis de gerundio
The perífrasis de gerundio mainly emphasize duration, progression, or continuity.
3.1 Estar + gerundio
It describes an action in progress at the moment of speaking. It is similar to the English present continuous and focuses on the ongoing nature of the action.
– Estoy leyendo un libro muy interesante.
3.2 Seguir + gerundio
It indicates that an action that began earlier is continuing.
– Sigo estudiando español.
3.3 Llevar + gerundio
It specifies how long an action has been going on. It always requires a time reference.
– Llevo estudiando español tres años.
3.4 Andar + gerundio
It describes an action that is happening repeatedly or in various places, often informally or with a slightly critical tone.
– Andan comentando lo del accidente del otro día.
3.5 Acabar + gerundio
It indicates that a process ends in a particular way, sometimes unexpectedly.
– Acabó explicando toda la verdad del caso.
4. Perífrasis de participio
The perífrasis de participio emphasize result or the state produced by an action.
4.1 Dar por + participio
It means that something is officially considered finished, often by deliberate decision.
– Doy por terminada la ronda de preguntas.
4.2 Dejar + participio
It expresses the resulting state caused by a previous action.
– El esfuerzo le dejó agotado.
4.3 Llevar + participio
It indicates an action that has already been completed, often with cumulative value. It can refer to something that continues in the present.
– Llevo enviados más de cien currículos.
4.4 Tener + participio
It can express:
- a definite result
– Tengo decidido mi futuro: quiero ser médico.
- an accumulated or completed quantity
– Ya tengo escritas muchas invitaciones.
5. Why are they so important?
Verbal periphrases allow you to express: duration, intention, obligation, probability, repetition, result.
Without them, your Spanish may be grammatically correct — but it can sound flat or unnatural.
Saying Estudio español desde hace tres años is correct, but saying Llevo estudiando español tres años is much closer to authentic, everyday Spanish.
6. How can you really learn them?
You don’t need to memorize everything at once. The most effective approach is gradual:
- Identify the structure
- Understand the nuance it adds
- Use it in personal sentences
- Reuse it in different contexts
Periphrases become natural through guided practice and consistent exposure.
7. Want to go deeper?
To review all these structures in a clear and organized way, check out the dedicated grammar sheet on Las perífrasis de infinitivo, gerundio y participio in the Sillabi resources. It’s designed as a practical reference tool while you study or complete exercises.
8. Moving from theory to natural expression
Theory gives you the tools. Practice gives you confidence.
To truly master verbal periphrases and use them spontaneously, you need consistent training and a structured path that guides you step by step.
If you’d like to strengthen your grammar and speak with greater fluency, discover the course ¡Ojalá! — a progressive, clear, and motivating program designed to help you build real Spanish skills.
And if you’re unsure where to start, take the level test: in just a few minutes, you’ll discover the ideal starting point for your Spanish journey.