Haber sido vs. Haber estaba...and Ha Habido

Question

Hi. I am trying to crystalize the use of these compound verbs in my brain. Does anyone have a good and clear way to help me understand when which is used, what follows each?

Thank you

Answer 1

Well I am not quite sure how to explain in detail, but here are some examples...

No ha sido fácil perderte... It hasn't been easy to lose you (and still is not...).

¿Dónde has estado? Where have you been?

Ha habido un accidente... There has been an accident...

I hope that this can help a little bit.

Answer 2

I think the real issue here is the difference between 'estar' and 'haber'. The issue stems from the fact that both have to do with location.

However, 'estar' describes location, whereas 'haber' states location, it localizes it.

That's why you say 'Dos hombres están en la casa' to say '2 guys are in the house', because you're describing their location, but you say 'Hay 2 hombres en la casa' to say 'There are 2 guys in the house' because you're stating their location.

Please do note that 'haber' does not always function this way, as it can also be famously seen in its 'auxiliary' verb function, such as 'He comido' or 'Te has ido' etc etc. Here, 'haber' is having nothing to do with location.

Additionally, try not to come up with blanket rules to cover every situation, because simple y sencillamente, it can't be done. You can come up with rules to cover a lot, a majority of situations, but there's always gonna be something that goes against it.

So coming up with a rule that says only adjectives or nouns can follow the verb 'ser' isn't a great idea. Sure, that applies a lot of the time, but sure, there are times where you can have a verb in the infinitive follow 'ser'.

How about, 'Hasta ahora, la respuesta correcta siempre ha sido huir, pero de ahora en adelante, vamos a luchar!!' Haha. OK, a bit dramatic the example, yes, but you see the point.

-Charlius-

Answer 3

He, ha, han, etc. are all things that have been done. They can go in front of any verb changing the verb accordingly, to demonstrate what has been done. He sido. Ha pasado. Han hablado. It's a done thing. It's finality. He hablado en esta cosa. I've spoken to that topic (with the implication that I'm not going to talk about it again.) He sido pobricito. I've been poor (with the implication that, God willing, I won't be poor again). Great question, this thing with "he" causes alot of problems, especially in spoken spanish. Some groups, it's obvious when spoken. Others, it comes out as just a breath. But don't worry...when someone is speaking in the past tense, it stands out. You will know what they are talking about. You may or may not hear the "he" part, but you will always focus on the verb.

Answer 4

Thanks for the examples. Those are definitely helpful. So, can "ha sido" be follwed by a verb or only by an adjective or sustantive?

Just think of the uses of ser and estar.They do not change if the tense does. You wouldn't say, "soy hablando", you would say, "estoy hablando". Just as you wouldn't say "he sido pensando", you would say, "he estado pensando".

Answer 5

la respuesta correcta siempre ha sido huir

The usual grammatical explanation of "huir" in this case (and of the corresponding "to flee" in the English translation) would be to say that it's an infinitive used as a noun/substantive (and, therefore, not an exception to the rule). Do you, perhaps, have an example of (some form of) "ser" followed by a finite (conjugated) verb?

That I cannot, that I cannot. Alright, I suppose you can make that rule then, but then again, to use these rules, you have to keep in mind all these llittle caveats like, you can't use a verb after 'ser' but you can use it if it's in infinitive as a noun - Charlius, Sep 26, 2009

a tad unwieldy, personally I don't like using rules to follow by, but some do so I guess that one's a good one. - Charlius, Sep 26, 2009

Answer 6

Thanks for the examples. Those are definitely helpful. So, can "ha sido" be follwed by a verb or only by an adjective or sustantive?