Infinitive, gerund, past participle and verbal paraphrases

Q: What are the three non-finite verb forms in Spanish and how are regular gerunds formed?

The three non-finite forms are the infinitive ( -ar, -er, -ir ), gerund , and past participle . Regular gerunds are formed by adding -ando to -ar verbs and -iendo to -er and -ir verbs.

Q: What are the key irregular patterns for forming gerunds in Spanish?

-ir stem-changing verbs weaken their stem vowel (e.g., pedir → pidiendo , dormir → durmiendo ), and vowel-stem verbs change -iendo to -yendo (e.g., leer → leyendo , ir → yendo ).

Q: How are regular past participles formed, and what are their most common irregular forms?

Regular past participles take -ado for -ar verbs and -ido for -er/-ir verbs. Common irregulars include abierto , dicho , escrito , hecho , puesto , visto , and vuelto .

Q: How is the periphrasis ir a + infinitive used and constructed?

It is formed using conjugated ir + a + infinitive and is used to express imminent future actions, intentions, or immediate consequences.

Q: How do you express that an action has "just" or "had just" happened using acabar de ?

Use conjugated acabar + de + infinitive . Use the present tense for "have just" ( acabo de... ) and the imperfect tense for "had just" ( acababa de... ).

Q: How do you express how long an action has been ongoing using llevar + gerund ?

Use the structure conjugated llevar + [time period] + gerund (e.g., Llevo dos años viviendo aquí ).

Q: Where can object pronouns be placed in a verbal periphrasis?

They can either be placed before the conjugated verb ( Lo voy a hacer ) or attached to the end of the non-finite verb ( Voy a hacerlo ).

Q: What orthographic rule must be applied when attaching an object pronoun to the end of a gerund?

You must add a written accent to preserve the original spoken stress on the gerund (e.g., haciendo + lo → haciéndolo ).

Spanish 7691 · AQA AS Level · 6 min read · Updated: 7 Sept 2026

Mastering Non-Finite Verb Forms and Verbal Periphrases (AQA AS Spanish 7691)

Welcome to your complete grammar guide for non-finite verb forms and verbal periphrases! These structures are vital for achieving high marks in both Paper 1 (Listening, Reading, and Translation) and Paper 2 (Writing). Whether you are already confident with Spanish verbs or finding them a little daunting, don't worry—we will break down every single rule step-by-step with clear patterns, practical tips, and memory hacks.

Part 1: The Three Non-Finite Verb Forms

What does non-finite mean? Simply put, these are verb forms that do not change to match a specific person (yo, tú, él...) on their own. Spanish has three non-finite forms: the infinitive, the gerund, and the past participle.

1. The Infinitive (El Infinitivo)

The infinitive is the base form of the verb—the "dictionary form." It always ends in -ar, -er, or -ir.
• hablar (to speak)
• comer (to eat)
• vivir (to live)

2. The Gerund (El Gerundio)

The gerund is the equivalent of the English "-ing" form. It is used to describe actions that are actively unfolding.

How to form regular gerunds:
• For -ar verbs: Drop the ending and add -ando (\(hablar \rightarrow hablando\)).
• For -er and -ir verbs: Drop the ending and add -iendo (\(comer \rightarrow comiendo\), \(vivir \rightarrow viviendo\)).

Important Irregular Gerunds to Memorise:
• Stem-changing -ir verbs: The vowel in the stem weakens.
– \(pedir \rightarrow pidiendo\)
– \(dormir \rightarrow durmiendo\)
– \(venir \rightarrow viniendo\)
• Vowel-stem verbs (The "y" rule): When the stem ends in a vowel, the -iendo changes to -yendo to avoid three vowels clashing together.
– \(leer \rightarrow leyendo\)
– \(creer \rightarrow creyendo\)
– \(ir \rightarrow yendo\)

3. The Past Participle (El Participio)

The past participle is used to build compound tenses (like the perfect tense) and can also act as an adjective (e.g., "the closed door").

How to form regular past participles:
• For -ar verbs: Drop the ending and add -ado (\(hablar \rightarrow hablado\)).
• For -er and -ir verbs: Drop the ending and add -ido (\(comer \rightarrow comido\), \(vivir \rightarrow vivido\)).

Key Irregular Past Participles:
These do not follow the standard -ado/-ido rule. Learn this core list by heart:
• abrir \(\rightarrow\) abierto (opened)
• decir \(\rightarrow\) dicho (said/told)
• escribir \(\rightarrow\) escrito (written)
• hacer \(\rightarrow\) hecho (done/made)
• poner \(\rightarrow\) puesto (put/placed)
• ver \(\rightarrow\) visto (seen)
• volver \(\rightarrow\) vuelto (returned)

Key Takeaway for Part 1:
Mastering the endings (-ando/-iendo for gerunds, -ado/-ido for participles) and their small group of irregulars gives you the essential building blocks for advanced verb structures.

Part 2: Verbal Periphrases (Verbal Paraphrases)

A verbal periphrasis is a fancy term for combining an auxiliary (conjugated) verb with a non-finite form (infinitive or gerund). They allow you to express subtle shades of time, intention, and ongoing progress. The AQA specification requires active mastery of five key periphrases:

1. ir a + Infinitive

Meaning: "Going to [do something]"
Use: Expresses an imminent future, strong intentions, or obvious consequences.
Formula: Conjugated ir + a + Infinitive
Example: Voy a estudiar para el examen. (I am going to study for the exam.)
Exam Tip: Never forget the preposition a!

2. estar + Gerund

Meaning: "To be [doing something]"
Use: Highlights that an action is in progress right at this moment (the progressive aspect).
Formula: Conjugated estar + Gerund
Example: Estamos comiendo ahora mismo. (We are eating right now.)

3. acabar de + Infinitive

Meaning: "To have just [done something]"
Use: Indicates an action completed very recently.
Formula: Conjugated acabar + de + Infinitive
Present Example: Acaban de llegar. (They have just arrived.)
Past Example (Imperfect): Acababa de salir cuando sonó el teléfono. (I had just left when the phone rang.)

4. estar para + Infinitive

Meaning: "To be about to [do something]" / "To be on the verge of"
Use: Expresses that something is right on the brink of happening.
Formula: Conjugated estar + para + Infinitive
Example: Está para llover. (It is about to rain / It is on the verge of raining.)

5. llevar + [Time Expression] + Gerund

Meaning: "To have been [doing something] for [a period of time]"
Use: Describes an action that began in the past and is still continuing in the present.
Formula: Conjugated llevar + [duration] + Gerund
Example: Llevo dos años viviendo aquí. (I have been living here for two years.)

Key Takeaway for Part 2:
Periphrases act like mathematical formulas. Check your three parts: Conjugated Verb + Preposition (if needed) + Non-Finite Verb.

Part 3: Object Pronoun Placement ("Clitic Climbing")

When you use a verbal periphrasis with an object pronoun (e.g., lo, la, los, las, me, te, se, nos), you have two equally correct choices of where to put the pronoun:

Option 1: In front of the conjugated verb
• Lo voy a hacer. (I am going to do it.)
• Me estoy lavando. (I am washing myself.)

Option 2: Attached to the end of the non-finite verb
• Voy a hacerlo. (Attached to the infinitive)
• Estoy lavándome. (Attached to the gerund)

CRITICAL ACCENT RULE FOR GERUNDS:

When you attach a pronoun to the end of a gerund, the word gets longer. To keep the original spoken stress on the correct syllable, you must add a written accent:
• \(haciendo + lo \rightarrow\) haciéndolo
• \(estudiando + lo \rightarrow\) estudiándolo

Part 4: Top Examiner Pitfalls & Common Mistakes

1. The "Estar + Gerund" Trap (Overuse)
In English, we say "I am living in Madrid for three years." In Spanish, never use estar + gerund for general life states or ongoing duration.
• Incorrect: Estoy viviendo en Madrid por tres años.
• Correct: Llevo tres años viviendo en Madrid. (or Vivo en Madrid desde hace tres años.)

2. Participle Agreement in Compound Tenses
When a past participle follows the auxiliary verb haber, it is completely invariable. It never agrees in gender or number with the subject.
• Incorrect: Ellas han comidas.
• Correct: Ellas han comido.

3. Forgetting the Preposition "a" in "ir a"
Leaving out the "a" is a very common slip under exam pressure.
• Incorrect: Voy estudiar.
• Correct: Voy a estudiar.

4. "Had Just" vs "Have Just" with "Acabar de"
To say you "had just" done something in the past, use the imperfect tense of acabar, not the preterite.
• Use: Acababa de terminar... (I had just finished...)

5. Spelling Errors in Gerunds
Watch out for unstressed 'i' turning into 'y' between vowels (leyendo, creyendo, yendo) and vowel changes in -ir verbs (durmiendo, pidiendo, viniendo).

Quick Review Summary

• Infinitive: Base verb ending in -ar, -er, -ir.
• Gerund: -ando / -iendo (Watch for -yendo and stem changes like durmiendo).
• Past Participle: -ado / -ido (Irregulars: abierto, dicho, hecho, escrito, puesto, visto, vuelto).
• ir a + inf: Imminent future / intention (Voy a salir).
• estar + gerund: Action happening right now (Estoy leyendo).
• acabar de + inf: To have just done something (Acabo de comer / Acababa de comer).
• estar para + inf: To be on the verge of / about to (Está para llover).
• llevar + [time] + gerund: Duration continuing to now (Llevo un año estudiando español).
• Pronouns: Place before the conjugated verb OR attach to the end (add an accent for gerunds: haciéndolo).

Quick check

Can you answer these now?

Open each question to check the key ideas from this chapter.

What are the three non-finite verb forms in Spanish and how are regular gerunds formed?

The three non-finite forms are the infinitive (-ar, -er, -ir), gerund, and past participle. Regular gerunds are formed by adding -ando to -ar verbs and -iendo to -er and -ir verbs.

What are the key irregular patterns for forming gerunds in Spanish?

-ir stem-changing verbs weaken their stem vowel (e.g., pedir → pidiendo, dormir → durmiendo), and vowel-stem verbs change -iendo to -yendo (e.g., leer → leyendo, ir → yendo).

How are regular past participles formed, and what are their most common irregular forms?

Regular past participles take -ado for -ar verbs and -ido for -er/-ir verbs. Common irregulars include abierto, dicho, escrito, hecho, puesto, visto, and vuelto.

How is the periphrasis ir a + infinitive used and constructed?

It is formed using conjugated ir + a + infinitive and is used to express imminent future actions, intentions, or immediate consequences.

What meaning is conveyed by estar + gerund?

It expresses the progressive aspect, indicating that an action is in progress right at that very moment (e.g., Estamos comiendo ahora mismo).

How do you express that an action has "just" or "had just" happened using acabar de?

Use conjugated acabar + de + infinitive. Use the present tense for "have just" (acabo de...) and the imperfect tense for "had just" (acababa de...).

What does the periphrasis estar para + infinitive mean?

It means "to be about to [do something]" or "to be on the verge of [doing something]" (e.g., Está para llover).

How do you express how long an action has been ongoing using llevar + gerund?

Use the structure conjugated llevar + [time period] + gerund (e.g., Llevo dos años viviendo aquí).

Where can object pronouns be placed in a verbal periphrasis?

They can either be placed before the conjugated verb (Lo voy a hacer) or attached to the end of the non-finite verb (Voy a hacerlo).

What orthographic rule must be applied when attaching an object pronoun to the end of a gerund?

You must add a written accent to preserve the original spoken stress on the gerund (e.g., haciendo + lo → haciéndolo).

Does the past participle agree in gender or number when used with the auxiliary verb haber?

No, the past participle is completely invariable in compound tenses with haber and always ends in -o (e.g., Ellas han comido).

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