Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


Quick Grammar Question

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old January 10, 2011, 11:09 PM
funkcanna's Avatar
funkcanna funkcanna is offline
Ruby
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Abu Dhabi, Emiratos Árabes Unidos
Posts: 78
Native Language: Inglés
funkcanna is on a distinguished road
Quick Grammar Question

Hi All, happy new year!

Sorry if this is a silly question but ive never actually known the answer for certain so would like some clarification...

If a sentence contains 2 verbs next to each other, do both of them need to be conjugated or only the first one? I think I have only noticed instances where the first verb is conjugated but the second one is left in the infinitive.

Is there a rule that governs this or can it change depending on circumstances?

Thank you!
__________________
Por favor, corrija mis errores
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old January 11, 2011, 08:21 AM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,093
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
Do you have any specific examples? It will be easier to answer and explain for each case...
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old January 11, 2011, 09:28 AM
funkcanna's Avatar
funkcanna funkcanna is offline
Ruby
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Abu Dhabi, Emiratos Árabes Unidos
Posts: 78
Native Language: Inglés
funkcanna is on a distinguished road
For example, I know that when querer is conjugated directly before another verb, the second verb is always in the infinitive:

Quiero ir a...
Quiero comer...

etc.

Are there any situations (and verbs) where 2 verbs would be conjugated together - for example both verbs conjugated in the Yo form.
__________________
Por favor, corrija mis errores
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old January 11, 2011, 10:29 AM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,093
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
I'm not sure if this will answer your question, but maybe with some examples you can ask more specific ones.


Perfect tenses are expressed with "haber" + past participle.

He venido
Habrás comido
Habríamos amado


Passive voice is made with "ser" + past participle:

El auto es comprado.
Las flores son plantadas.


There are combinations between conjugated verbs and gerundio to express two actions happening at the same time:

Vino corriendo.
Estábamos conversando.
Conducía bebiendo.


Verbs "querer" and "poder" can be combined with infinitives to describe an intention or a capability:

Quiero comer
Querías correr
Quisiéramos salir
Puedo venir
Podríamos considerar
Pudieron hablar


But most verbs need prepositions or conjunctions to be linked to another verb (conjugated or not).

Quiero que vengas.
Me dijo que saltara.
Canta y baila.
Durmieron y descansaron.
Vamos a dormir.
Siéntate a comer.
Volvió a decir lo mismo.
Dejen de gritar.
Llamó para hacer una reservación.
Cantaron para alegrarme.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...

Last edited by AngelicaDeAlquezar; January 12, 2011 at 07:52 AM. Reason: Deleted wrong example.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old January 11, 2011, 12:22 PM
Perikles's Avatar
Perikles Perikles is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
Perikles is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by funkcanna View Post
If a sentence contains 2 verbs next to each other, do both of them need to be conjugated or only the first one? I think I have only noticed instances where the first verb is conjugated but the second one is left in the infinitive.!
Hello - I have only just noticed this post. The answer is the same for English and Spanish: a sentence can consists of several clauses. A clause have only make sense if it has one and only one finite verb. Therefore, with two verbs next to each other, one of them must be non-finite - (including an infinitive).

What you are talking about with, say, I want to go is a class of verb called modal auxiliaries, and they describe the manner in which the main verb in the infinitive is modified:

I have to go
I want to go
I need to go
(sometimes you get a shortened infinitive)
I must go

Does that help? (It is entirely consistent with @Angelica's excellent post)

Last edited by Perikles; January 11, 2011 at 12:24 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old January 11, 2011, 09:57 PM
funkcanna's Avatar
funkcanna funkcanna is offline
Ruby
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Abu Dhabi, Emiratos Árabes Unidos
Posts: 78
Native Language: Inglés
funkcanna is on a distinguished road
Thank you Angelica (again!) and Perikles - both answers are perfect and clear
__________________
Por favor, corrija mis errores
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Need help with quick translation notoman Translations 3 September 01, 2010 12:42 AM
Quick question ! aurae Translations 2 December 04, 2009 12:36 AM
Quick question about the "-aron"/"-ieron" ending chanman Grammar 6 May 30, 2009 11:20 PM
quick question about al pogo Grammar 4 September 20, 2006 09:48 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:52 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X