Can you use 3 verbs in a row?

Question

Can you use 3 verbs in a row?

Here are a couple of attempts.

¿Puedes dejarme saber manaña? (Can you let me know tomorrow?)

He estado pensando en ti. (I have been thinking of you.)

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Go ahead and give it a try.

• Hmmm.....very interesting thread. I have to give it a try when I get back home later :) - HotChickCD Jun 27, 2011
• good question - billygoat Jun 27, 2011

Answer 1

¿Puedes dejarme saber manaña? (Can you let me know tomorrow?)

That means "Can you allow me/give me permission to know tomorrow?" See vivalafuriar's suggestion for a proper translation.

There is no limit to how many verbs you can put together, other than making a meaningful sentence with proper syntax. This is an example with 5 verbs:

Esperaba haber podido saber decir la verdad.

No puedo entender jugando sin ganas.

The English gerund cannot be translated as a Spanish "gerundio". If you are not sure what a gerund is, try to replace the -ing phrase of the sentence for "it". If it make sense, do not use "gerundio" in Spanish. It will never work!

I can't understand playing without desire.

I can't understand it.

• Thanks Laz. I'll remember that simple test. - MattM Jun 27, 2011
• me too! :) - billygoat Jun 27, 2011
• Me3....thanks Laz.... - 0043ad50 Jun 27, 2011
• Wow - that's a great test - I think for the first time I finally understand when I can and when I can't use the gerand....Thanks!!! :) - IndianaChris Jun 27, 2011

Answer 2

"Dejarme saber" es calco del ingés "Let me know." Debería traducirse "Avisarme" o "Hacerme saber."

• Thank you .... got it! - Daniel Jun 27, 2011

Answer 3

The second one for sure is allowed. It's a pretty standard use of the present perfect progressive verb tense. Haber is being used as a helping verb with estar to form the present perfect part.

Answer 4

Creo que deberías bailar con ella.

I think you should dance with her.

(second example , only two verbs haber shouldn't count )

Good exercise.

Answer 5

Yes, you sure can use 3 verbs in row, when it's appropriate of course. eg. "Siento haberte decepcionado" (I'm sorry to have let you down.)

Your first sentence sounds a little weird. Maybe some people say "dejarme saber," but I don't think it's common Spanish. Try "avisarme" for "to let me know." I have heard "hacerme saber" for "to let me know," but I don't think that is as common as avisar.

Answer 6

Voy a poder correr. Sure, why not?

Answer 7

No puedo entender jugar sin ganas.

I can't understand playing without desire.

• jugar - Heidita Jun 27, 2011
• Gracias reina. - MattM Jun 27, 2011

Answer 8

O.K., this hurt my head. I am going out on the limb. Three straight verbs, no prepositions or conjunctions. I think it works.

Espero poder asistir.

I hope that I can attend.

• sí señor:) - Heidita Jun 27, 2011
• Why is it not: Espero que puedo asistir - SonrisaDelSo Jun 27, 2011
• ok im put my head on the block here Sonrisa lol. I think if you included 'que' would it trigger the subjunctive so make it pueda? - billygoat Jun 27, 2011
• Or "espero que pueda asistir". - coffeelate Jun 27, 2011
• It is literally translated from the Spanish as: I hope to be able to help Sonrisa there are ocassiosn when tthe subjunctive (using the relative pronoun''que'') is required in one language but not in the other language :) - FELIZ77 Jun 27, 2011
View 4 more commments >>

Answer 9

Yes, You can say;

Me gustaría aprender a hablar español

=I would like to learn to speak Spanish

''I would have liked to have seen it!''

= ''Me hubiera gustado haberlo visto''

I hope this helps

Corregid mi español, por favor

Answer 10

Mmmm..."pude haber ido. Pero no pude". "I could have gone. But I couldn't". http://www.studyspanish.com/lessons/subj1.htm

Answer 11

Rather than comment further, I've put my thoughts into this answer so it may be more clearly seen. This part of the indicative\subjunctive confuses me!

In the comments above regarding: 'espero poder asstir' - I hope that I can attend.

If you said 'espero que pueda assistir' then does this mean (in the subjunctive) - I hope that I might be able to attend'. Which, in my mind, adds more of an uncertaintly to the situation - ie you might not be able to attend.

• The subjunctive is not used in that form...your original is correct. - vivalafuriar Jun 27, 2011
• thank you Viva! - billygoat Jun 28, 2011