For example:

examples Voy a comprar una camisa. I am going to buy a shirt. Está nadando muy bien. He is swimming very well.

Common Types of Verbal Periphrasis

Below you'll find three common types of verbal periphrasis used in Spanish.

1. Ir + Preposition + Infinitive

This first type of verbal periphrasis consists of a conjugated form of ir + a preposition + an infinitive.

For example:

examples Voy a estudiar. I am going to study.

2. Haber + Past Participle

This second type of verbal periphrasis consists of a conjugated form of haber + a past participle.

For example:

examples ¿Has ido a España? Have you been to Spain?

3. Estar + Present Participle

This third type of verbal periphrasis consists of a conjugated form of estar + a present participle.

For example:

examples Está leyendo un libro. She is reading a book.

List of Common Examples of Verbal Periphrasis

Below you'll find a list of some common verbal periphrases. Remember that only the first verb in each periphrasis is conjugated.

Verb + Infinitive

Verb + Infinitive Meaning acabar de + infinitive to have just done something acertar a + infinitive to manage to do something acostumbrar a + infinitive to get used to doing something alcanzar a + infinitive to be able to do something cesar de + infinitive to cease to do something comenzar a + infinitive to begin to do something deber + infinitive to have to do something dejar de + infinitive to stop doing something echar(se) a + infinitive to burst/break into doing something empezar a + infinitive to begin to do something estar por + infinitive to be on the verge of doing something estar a punto de + infinitive to be about to do something haber de/que + infinitive to have to do something ir a + infinitive going to do something poder + infinitive to be able to do something ponerse a + infinitive to start to do something quedar por + infinitive to remain to do something llegar a + infinitive to come to do something romper a + infinitive to suddenly start doing something soler + infinitive to do something usually venir a + infinitive to come to do something volver a + infinitive to return to do something tardar en + infinitive to take a long time to do something tener que + infinitive to have to do something terminar de + infinitive to finish doing something

Verb + Present Participle

Verb + Present Participle Meaning andar + present participle to be doing something estar + present participle to be doing something ir + present participle to be gradually doing something llevar + present participle to continue to do something from the past seguir + present participle to keep doing something venir + present participle to have been doing something

Verb + Past Participle

Verb + Past Participle Meaning dejar hecho + past participle to leave completed haber + past participle to have done something llevar puesto + past participle to have on sentirse + past participle to feel + past participle verse + past participle to see oneself as + past participle