Verbal Paraphrases (AQA A-Level Spanish): Revision Notes
Verbal Paraphrases
Overview
Verbal paraphrases (perífrasis verbales) are special verb constructions in Spanish that consist of two parts: a conjugated verb combined with a non-finite form (an infinitive or a gerund). These structures don't change the tense of your sentence but instead add nuance about how an action happens—the aspect. They help you express details like whether something is about to happen, has just occurred, or is gradually developing over time.
Understanding these structures will make your Spanish sound more natural and sophisticated, particularly when describing timing, duration, and intention.
1. Ir a + infinitive
When to use it
This paraphrase expresses actions in the near future or intentions. You use it to talk about what someone is planning to do or what is about to happen. It's particularly common in everyday conversation and informal writing, often replacing the simple future tense.
Formation
Conjugate the verb ir in the appropriate tense, add a, then include the infinitive of the main verb:
ir (conjugated) + a + infinitive
The preposition a is essential in this construction—never omit it. This is what distinguishes this verbal paraphrase from simply using the verb ir on its own.
Conjugation table
| Person | Present | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | voy a + infinitive | voy a estudiar (I'm going to study) |
| tú | vas a + infinitive | vas a comer (you're going to eat) |
| él/ella/usted | va a + infinitive | va a salir (he/she is going to leave) |
| nosotros/as | vamos a + infinitive | vamos a viajar (we're going to travel) |
| vosotros/as | vais a + infinitive | vais a trabajar (you're going to work) |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | van a + infinitive | van a llegar (they're going to arrive) |
Example sentences
Example 1: Future plan
Voy a estudiar medicina.
I'm going to study medicine.
This shows a future plan or intention.
Example 2: Past intention
Íbamos a salir, pero llovió.
We were going to go out, but it rained.
Here, ir a + infinitive is used in the imperfect to show a past intention that didn't happen.
Example 3: Asking about plans
¿Qué vas a hacer este fin de semana?
What are you going to do this weekend?
A typical question asking about future plans.
Key points
In spoken Spanish and informal writing, this structure frequently replaces the simple future tense. Instead of saying estudiaré (I will study), Spanish speakers often prefer voy a estudiar (I'm going to study) as it sounds more natural and immediate.
2. Acabar de + infinitive
When to use it
This paraphrase indicates that an action has just happened, emphasising the recent completion of something. It always refers to the very recent past, capturing that sense of "just now."
Formation
Conjugate the verb acabar, add de, then include the infinitive:
acabar (conjugated) + de + infinitive
Conjugation table
| Person | Present | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | acabo de + infinitive | acabo de llegar (I have just arrived) |
| tú | acabas de + infinitive | acabas de comer (you have just eaten) |
| él/ella/usted | acaba de + infinitive | acaba de salir (he/she has just left) |
| nosotros/as | acabamos de + infinitive | acabamos de terminar (we have just finished) |
| vosotros/as | acabáis de + infinitive | acabáis de ver (you have just seen) |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | acaban de + infinitive | acaban de llegar (they have just arrived) |
Example sentences
Example 1: Immediate past
Acabo de llegar.
I have just arrived.
This tells us the arrival happened moments ago.
Example 2: Past perfect sense
Acababan de terminar el examen.
They had just finished the exam.
Using the imperfect of acabar shows something that had just happened in the past.
Key points
Critical preposition: This construction is essential for expressing immediate past actions. Always use the preposition de after acabar—a common mistake is to use the wrong preposition or omit it altogether.
❌ acabar a hacer
✅ acabar de hacer
3. Estar para + infinitive
When to use it
This paraphrase conveys readiness or suitability. You use it to express that someone or something is ready to do something or is in the right condition for an action to take place.
Formation
Conjugate estar, add para, then the infinitive:
estar (conjugated) + para + infinitive
Conjugation table
| Person | Present | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | estoy para + infinitive | estoy para salir (I'm ready to leave) |
| tú | estás para + infinitive | estás para empezar (you're ready to start) |
| él/ella/usted | está para + infinitive | está para enviar (it's ready to send) |
| nosotros/as | estamos para + infinitive | estamos para cenar (we're ready to have dinner) |
| vosotros/as | estáis para + infinitive | estáis para jugar (you're ready to play) |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | están para + infinitive | están para irse (they're ready to leave) |
Example sentences
Example 1: Not in the right condition
No estoy para salir hoy.
I'm not up to going out today.
This indicates the person is not in the right condition or mood to go out.
Example 2: State of readiness
El informe está para enviar.
The report is ready to send.
The report is in a suitable state to be sent.
Important distinction
Don't confuse structures: estar para vs. estar a punto de
While both relate to something about to happen:
- estar para emphasises readiness or suitability
- estar a punto de means something is on the verge of happening immediately
4. Llevar + gerund
When to use it
This construction highlights the duration of an ongoing action. Rather than simply stating that an action is happening, you're emphasising how long it has been continuing.
Formation
Conjugate llevar and follow it with the gerund (the -ando/-iendo form):
llevar (conjugated) + gerund
The gerund is formed by adding -ando to the stem of -ar verbs (estudiar → estudiando) and -iendo to the stem of -er and -ir verbs (comer → comiendo, vivir → viviendo).
Conjugation table with gerunds
| Person | Present | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | llevo + gerund | llevo estudiando (I have been studying) |
| tú | llevas + gerund | llevas trabajando (you have been working) |
| él/ella/usted | lleva + gerund | lleva viviendo (he/she has been living) |
| nosotros/as | llevamos + gerund | llevamos esperando (we have been waiting) |
| vosotros/as | lleváis + gerund | lleváis corriendo (you have been running) |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | llevan + gerund | llevan estudiando (they have been studying) |
Example sentences
Example 1: Emphasising duration
Llevo estudiando tres horas.
I have been studying for three hours.
The focus is on the three-hour duration of studying that continues.
Example 2: Lengthy duration in the past
Llevaban trabajando allí diez años.
They had been working there for ten years.
This emphasises the lengthy duration of their employment.
Key feature
Duration vs. simple progression:
The key difference between llevar + gerund and estar + gerund:
- llevar + gerund focuses on duration (how long)
- estar + gerund simply describes an action in progress without that emphasis
Compare:
- Estoy estudiando = I am studying (right now)
- Llevo estudiando tres horas = I have been studying for three hours (emphasis on duration)
5. Ir/Venir + gerund
When to use it
These paraphrases describe gradual processes or changes that develop little by little over time. They capture the sense of something evolving progressively.
Formation
Conjugate either ir or venir, then add the gerund:
ir/venir (conjugated) + gerund
Conjugation tables
With ir
| Person | Present | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | voy + gerund | voy mejorando (I am gradually improving) |
| tú | vas + gerund | vas entendiendo (you are gradually understanding) |
| él/ella/usted | va + gerund | va cambiando (it is gradually changing) |
| nosotros/as | vamos + gerund | vamos aprendiendo (we are gradually learning) |
| vosotros/as | vais + gerund | vais progresando (you are gradually progressing) |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | van + gerund | van creciendo (they are gradually growing) |
With venir
| Person | Present | Example |
|---|---|---|
| yo | vengo + gerund | vengo diciendo (I have been saying) |
| tú | vienes + gerund | vienes trabajando (you have been working) |
| él/ella/usted | viene + gerund | viene subiendo (it has been rising) |
| nosotros/as | venimos + gerund | venimos estudiando (we have been studying) |
| vosotros/as | venís + gerund | venís mejorando (you have been improving) |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | vienen + gerund | vienen luchando (they have been fighting) |
Example sentences
Example 1: Progressive improvement
La situación va mejorando.
The situation is gradually improving.
This indicates a progressive improvement happening over time.
Example 2: Ongoing change from the past
Los precios vienen subiendo desde hace meses.
Prices have been rising for months.
This shows a gradual change that started in the past and continues to the present.
Understanding the difference
Subtle distinction between ir and venir:
Both structures express gradual change, but there's a subtle distinction:
- ir + gerund emphasises gradual change moving forward over time
- venir + gerund emphasises a change that began earlier and has been continuing up to now
Think of it as:
- ir + gerund = moving toward the future
- venir + gerund = coming from the past toward now
Common errors to avoid
Frequent mistakes when using verbal paraphrases:
1. Using the wrong preposition
❌ acabar a hacer
✅ acabar de hacer
Always use de after acabar, not a or any other preposition.
2. Confusing llevar + gerund with estar + gerund
Remember that llevar emphasises duration (how long), while estar simply describes an ongoing action without that emphasis.
3. Translating directly from English
English structures don't always match Spanish paraphrases exactly. Learn the Spanish patterns rather than trying to translate word-for-word from English.
4. Omitting prepositions
Each verbal paraphrase has its specific preposition:
- ir a + infinitive
- acabar de + infinitive
- estar para + infinitive
Don't skip these!
Practice exercises
A. Complete the sentences
Fill in the missing words to form the correct verbal paraphrase:
- Voy ___ estudiar Derecho el año que viene.
- Acabamos ___ llegar a casa.
- Lleva trabajando aquí ___ cinco años.
- La situación ___ empeorando poco a poco.
- No estoy para ___ hoy.
Answers:
- a
- de
- desde / hace
- va
- salir
B. Translate into Spanish
- I have just finished my homework.
- They are going to travel to Spain.
- Prices have been rising gradually.
Answers:
- Acabo de terminar los deberes.
- Van a viajar a España.
- Los precios van subiendo.
When practicing, try to use these paraphrases in your own sentences. The more you practice incorporating them naturally, the more fluent and authentic your Spanish will sound.
Exam tips
Using verbal paraphrases in exams:
Verbal paraphrases are high-level structures that demonstrate sophisticated language use. They allow you to show control over aspect and nuance, not just basic tense usage. Incorporate them naturally into:
- Essays and written compositions
- Speaking examinations
- Narrative tasks and descriptions
Using these structures appropriately will significantly enhance the quality and authenticity of your Spanish.
Summary
Key Points to Remember:
- Verbal paraphrases add aspect (how actions happen), not tense
- Ir a + infinitive expresses near future and intentions
- Acabar de + infinitive always refers to the very recent past
- Estar para + infinitive indicates readiness or suitability
- Llevar + gerund emphasises duration of ongoing actions
- Ir/Venir + gerund describes gradual change over time
- Each structure requires its specific preposition—don't confuse them!
- Practice using these structures to make your Spanish sound more natural and sophisticated