B1 Spanish GrammarModal Verbs and Periphrases
Master Spanish modal verbs and verbal periphrases: poder, deber, tener que, hay que, soler, acabar de, ir a, estar + gerund, and llevar + gerund. Express ability, obligation, habit, and aspect.
1Ability and Possibility: Poder
Poder (can, be able to) expresses ability, permission, and possibility. It's a stem-changing verb (o→ue). In the preterite, poder often means 'managed to' (affirmative) or 'failed to' (negative).
Poder Conjugation
| Tense | yo | tĂş | Ă©l/ella |
|---|---|---|---|
| present | puedo | puedes | puede |
| preterite | pude | pudiste | pudo |
| imperfect | podĂa | podĂas | podĂa |
| conditional | podrĂa | podrĂas | podrĂa |
Examples
ÂżPuedes ayudarme con esto?
Can you help me with this?
ability/request
No pude encontrar las llaves.
I couldn't (failed to) find the keys.
preterite - failed attempt
Antes podĂa correr más rápido.
I used to be able to run faster.
imperfect - past ability
ÂżPodrĂa hablar más despacio?
Could you speak more slowly?
conditional - polite request
2Obligation: Deber, Tener que, Hay que
Deber + infinitive expresses moral obligation ('should'). Tener que + infinitive expresses necessity ('have to'). Hay que + infinitive expresses impersonal obligation ('one must'). DeberĂa is softer (conditional).
Expressing Obligation
| Structure | Strength | Example |
|---|---|---|
| tener que + inf | strong necessity | Tengo que irme |
| deber + inf | moral obligation | Debes estudiar más |
| deberĂa + inf | advice/suggestion | DeberĂas descansar |
| hay que + inf | impersonal | Hay que trabajar |
Examples
Tienes que llamar al médico.
You have to call the doctor.
strong necessity
Debes ser más paciente.
You should be more patient.
moral advice
DeberĂas hablar con ella.
You should talk to her.
softer suggestion
Hay que reservar con antelaciĂłn.
One must book in advance.
impersonal obligation
3Aspect Periphrases
Ir a + infinitive expresses future intention. Acabar de + infinitive means 'to have just done'. Estar + gerund is the progressive. Llevar + time + gerund expresses duration of ongoing action.
Verbal Periphrases
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ir a + inf | going to | Voy a comer |
| acabar de + inf | have just | Acabo de llegar |
| estar + gerund | progressive | Estoy comiendo |
| llevar + time + gerund | have been -ing for | Llevo dos horas esperando |
| seguir + gerund | keep on -ing | Sigue lloviendo |
Examples
Voy a empezar un curso de inglés.
I'm going to start an English course.
ir a + infinitive
Acabo de hablar con Ă©l.
I've just spoken with him.
acabar de - recent past
Llevo tres años viviendo aquĂ.
I've been living here for three years.
llevar + gerund
Sigue buscando trabajo.
He keeps looking for work.
seguir + gerund
4Habit and Tendency: Soler
Soler + infinitive expresses habitual actions ('usually do'). It's only used in present and imperfect. For negative habits, use 'no soler' or alternatives like normalmente no + verb.
Soler Conjugation
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| yo | suelo | solĂa |
| tĂş | sueles | solĂas |
| Ă©l/ella | suele | solĂa |
| nosotros | solemos | solĂamos |
| ellos | suelen | solĂan |
Examples
Suelo levantarme a las siete.
I usually get up at seven.
present habit
SolĂamos ir a la playa en verano.
We used to go to the beach in summer.
past habit
No suele llegar tarde.
He doesn't usually arrive late.
negative habit
ÂżSueles cocinar en casa?
Do you usually cook at home?
question about habit