Ch 34 · Lesson 17Spanish · Chapter 34 · Lesson 17 · Grammar primer
Empezar a, ponerse a, echarse a: starting
Three ways to start, from to sudden ( a , a , a ), and a for managing in the end.
The short version
a
.
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a is the start: a . a is getting down to something: a . a is a sudden burst, mostly with crying, laughing and running: a . All three take a and an infinitive.
Starting: empezar a, ponerse a, echarse a
All three take a + infinitive. They differ in how sudden the start is:
- Empezó a llorar.started crying
- Se puso a llorar.started crying, there and then
- Se echó a llorar.burst into tears
| Helper | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| a | . | It started to rain. |
| a | . | We started studying at eight. |
| a | . | He/She got down to work. |
| a | . | He/She burst into tears. |
| a | . | He/She burst out laughing. |
is a slightly more formal . goes mostly with crying, laughing and running: . - He/She broke into a run.
Llegar a: manage to, go as far as
a + infinitive is reaching a point: managing something in the end, or going as far as doing it:
.- He went on to become director..- I never got to see the film..- He/She even said I was lying.
Going further: The periphrases at a glance and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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