Spanish compound verbs

Definition: Spanish compound verbs are much simpler: there is only one auxiliary verb and the two parts of the verb stay together A verb formed by the combination of an auxiliary verb followed by the main verb.

Examples in Spanish:

we are cooking
estamos cocinando

in Spanish compound languages. They consist usually of a modal verb (to have) and the perfect participle.

present perfect
I have worked in spain for two years
He trabajado en españa por dos años

past perfect
I hadn’t gone out when she came
Yo no había salido cuando ella vino

future perfect
Before you come, I will have finished
Antes de que vengas, yo ya habré terminado

Conditional Perfect
I would have phoned yesterday if I had been able to
Habría llamado ayer si hubiera podido

Note: that compound verbs based on the irregular verbs inherit the same irregularities

abolire
yo aboliré

anteponer
yo antepondré

Spanish Irregular Verbs:

Abolir to abolish
Acentuar to emphasize, to stress
Acoger to receive, to welcome
Afligir to distress, to afflict/td>
Agorar to predict misfortune
Aislar to isolate, to insulate




Back to:
Spanish Grammar