In this article, we\u2019ll explore the main per\u00edfrasis de infinitivo, de gerundio<\/em><\/strong>, and de participio<\/em><\/strong>, with clear explanations and practical examples to help you understand when and how they\u2019re used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A verbal periphrasis<\/strong> is a construction made up of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Voy a estudiar. In these sentences, voy, estoy<\/em>, and tengo <\/em>do not keep their original standalone meaning. Instead, the combination of both elements creates a single unified meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spanish verbal periphrases fall into three broad categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s look at them one by one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The per\u00edfrasis de infinitivo<\/em> are extremely common in everyday Spanish. They are mainly used to express future intention, obligation, probability, repetition, or the cessation of an action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Equivalent to \u201cto have just\u201d in English. It describes an action completed very recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Acabo de llegar <\/strong>a la ciudad y todav\u00eda no he pasado por casa.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It expresses obligation, necessity, or advice. Depending on context, it may sound like a strong rule or simply a recommendation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Debe hacer<\/strong> dieta para adelgazar.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Be careful: adding de <\/em>changes the meaning. Deber de<\/em> expresses probability or assumption. It\u2019s used when making a hypothesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Debe de estar <\/strong>enferma porque no la he visto en todo el d\u00eda.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It means \u201cto stop doing something.\u201d It emphasizes the interruption of an action or habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Por fin he dejado de fumar<\/strong>.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It expresses impersonal obligation, equivalent to \u201cit\u2019s necessary to\u201d or \u201cyou have to\u201d in a general sense. It\u2019s very common for rules or instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Hay que llamar<\/strong> antes de entrar.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It expresses near future or intention. It\u2019s extremely common in conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Voy a buscarme<\/strong> un caf\u00e9, \u00bfquieres uno?<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It indicates how long an action has not taken place. It emphasizes the duration of non-occurrence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Llevo <\/strong>dos meses sin fumar.<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It expresses difficulty fully completing or understanding something. It suggests a sense of incompleteness or dissatisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – No acabo de entender<\/strong> por qu\u00e9 dej\u00f3 el trabajo si ten\u00eda un buen sueldo.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It indicates possibility, ability, or permission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Tranquilo, puedo acabarlo<\/strong> para ma\u00f1ana.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It indicates that something still hasn\u2019t happened, despite time passing or repeated attempts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Me lo has explicado muchas veces, pero yo sigo sin entender<\/strong> por qu\u00e9 dej\u00f3 el trabajo.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It expresses personal obligation or necessity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Tengo que hablarte<\/strong> urgentemente.<\/em><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n It expresses repetition \u2014 doing something again after an interruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Vuelvo a fumar<\/strong> despu\u00e9s de tres meses sin probar el tabaco. \u00a1Qu\u00e9 l\u00e1stima!<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The per\u00edfrasis de gerundio<\/em><\/strong> mainly emphasize duration, progression, or continuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Estoy leyendo<\/strong> un libro muy interesante.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It indicates that an action that began earlier is continuing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Sigo estudiando <\/strong>espa\u00f1ol.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It specifies how long an action has been going on. It always requires a time reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Llevo estudiando<\/strong> espa\u00f1ol tres a\u00f1os.<\/em><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n It describes an action that is happening repeatedly or in various places, often informally or with a slightly critical tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Andan comentando<\/strong> lo del accidente del otro d\u00eda.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It indicates that a process ends in a particular way, sometimes unexpectedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Acab\u00f3 explicando<\/strong> toda la verdad del caso.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The per\u00edfrasis de participio<\/em><\/strong> emphasize result or the state produced by an action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It means that something is officially considered finished, often by deliberate decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Doy por terminada<\/strong> la ronda de preguntas.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It expresses the resulting state caused by a previous action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – El esfuerzo le dej\u00f3 agotado.<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It indicates an action that has already been completed, often with cumulative value. It can refer to something that continues in the present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Llevo enviados<\/strong> m\u00e1s de cien curr\u00edculos.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It can express:<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Tengo decidido <\/strong>mi futuro: quiero ser m\u00e9dico.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n – Ya tengo escritas<\/strong> muchas invitaciones.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Verbal periphrases allow you to express: duration, intention, obligation, probability, repetition, result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without them, your Spanish may be grammatically correct \u2014 but it can sound flat or unnatural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saying Estudio espa\u00f1ol desde hace tres a\u00f1os<\/em> is correct, but saying Llevo estudiando espa\u00f1ol tres a\u00f1os<\/em> is much closer to authentic, everyday Spanish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t need to memorize everything at once. The most effective approach is gradual:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Periphrases become natural through guided practice and consistent exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To review all these structures in a clear and organized way, check out the dedicated grammar sheet on Las per\u00edfrasis de infinitivo, gerundio y participio<\/a><\/em> in the Sillabi resources. It\u2019s designed as a practical reference tool while you study or complete exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Theory gives you the tools. Practice gives you confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To truly master verbal periphrases and use them spontaneously, you need consistent training and a structured path that guides you step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like to strengthen your grammar and speak with greater fluency, discover the course \u00a1Ojal\u00e1!<\/a> \u2014 a progressive, clear, and motivating program designed to help you build real Spanish skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sillabi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Articolo-perifrasi-1024x538.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. What is a verbal periphrasis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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– Estoy leyendo.
– Tengo hecha la tarea.<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
2. Per\u00edfrasis de infinitivo<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2.1 Acabar de + infinitivo<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2.2 Deber + infinitivo<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2.3 Deber de + infinitivo<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2.4 Dejar de + infinitivo<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2.5 Haber que + infinitivo<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2.6 Ir a + infinitivo<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2.7 Llevar sin + infinitivo<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2.8 No acabar de + infinitivo<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2.9 Poder + infinitivo<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2.10 Seguir sin + infinitivo<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2.11 Tener que + infinitivo<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2.12 Volver a + infinitivo<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Per\u00edfrasis de gerundio<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3.1 Estar + gerundio<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3.2 Seguir + gerundio<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3.3 Llevar + gerundio<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3.4 Andar + gerundio<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3.5 Acabar + gerundio<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Per\u00edfrasis de participio<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4.1 Dar por + participio<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4.2 Dejar + participio<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4.3 Llevar + participio<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4.4 Tener + participio<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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5. Why are they so important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. How can you really learn them?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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7. Want to go deeper?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
8. Moving from theory to natural expression<\/h2>\n\n\n\n