Spanish Language Blog

Verbs + preposition “a” (I)

Posted on 08. Aug, 2012 by Adir in Spanish Grammar

Many verbs in Spanish are followed by the preposition “a” and are followed by an infinitive. Here is a list of them with an example.

acercarse a – to approach. El hombre se me acercó a pedirme un cigarrillo. [The man approached me to ask for a cigarette.]

acertar a – to happen. Acertó a pasar por allí un caballero. [A man happened to go by there.]

acostumbrarse a – to be/get used to. Espero que ya te hayas acostumbrado a tu nuevo empleo. [I hope you've gotten used to your new job.]

alcanzar a – to manage to. No alcancé a verlo mientras estaba aquí. [I didn't manage to see him while he was here.]

animar a – to encourage to. Me animé a participar del concurso. [I plucked up some courage to take part in the contest.]

aprender a – to learn to. Aprendí a hablar español en Chile. [I learned to speak Spanish in Chile.]

atreverse a – to dare to. No se atreverán a echarnos de la fiesta por no llevar corbata. [They won't dare to kick us out of the party for not wearing ties.]

ayudar a – to help. ¿Me ayudas a estudiar para la prueba? [Can you help me study for the test?]

comenzar a – to begin to. Comencé a prepararme para mi viaje en marzo. [I began to prepare for my trip in March.]

comprometerse a – to undertake to, to commit oneself to. Me comprometo a pagarte cuando reciba mi sueldo. [I promise to pay you when I get my salary.]

convidar a – to invite to, to have a desire to. Este mar tan tranquilo convida a darse un baño. [This calm sea invites us to bathe.]

cuidar a – to take care of. Cuídale al niño mientras esté fuera. [Take care of the boy while I'm out.]

decidirse a – to decide to. Por fin se ha decidido a terminar la tesis. [She finally decided to finish her thesis.]

dedicarse a – to devote oneself to. Se dedicó a trabajar con los pobres toda la vida. [She devoted herself to working with the poor all her life.]

desafiar a – to challenge to. Te desafío a aprender francés en un ãno. [I challenge you to learn French in one year.]

disponerse a – to get ready to. Se dispuso a ayudarme, como siempre. [He was ready and willing to help me, as always.]

echar(se) a – to begin to. Echó a correr. [He began to run.]

empezar a – to begin to, to start to. ¿Cuándo empezaste a estudiar español? [When did you start studying Spanish?]

enseñar a – to teach to, show how to. Enséñame a hacer eso. [Teach me how to do this.]

forzar a – to force to. Nadie puede forzarte a hacer lo que no quieras. [Nobody can force you to do what you don't want to.]

Remember that reading and listening will help you to improve your fluency and when to use such verbs. One day at a time!

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Tags: Spanish Grammar