When do you put "de" in between two verbs?
For example, dar de comer al perro.
Why is the "de" there? I don't understand. Does it have some kind of meaning like 'para' [in order to]?
Please help...I'm terribly confused. 
I can't believe a two letter word would cause so much confusion for me, jajaja!!
Thank you in advance 
14 Answers
Acabar de and dar de are totally different expressions, acabar de, as you said, is used to say something that has been just done, like:
Acabo de jugar... I just played.
Acabo de beber.. I just drank.
Acabo de entregar... I just delivered.
And dar de is used, as its name says, to say that someone gives something, like:
Dar de comer al perro ... to feed the dog.
Dar de beber al bebé ... to give something to drink to a baby.
Actually, only those two come to my mind with the form "dar de", it's basically a feeding thing.
Dewclaw list is great too, it will help you a lot.
Hope this helps.
Why is the "de" there? I don't understand. Does it have some kind of meaning like 'para' [in order to]?
But, I guess I still don't understand why it's "dar de comer...".
That is a special use of the verb "dar" that has to be memorized, I'm afraid. If you check the RAE dictionary, you'll see many others. The more common the word (in English is the same), the more uses it has and the harder it is to learn.
However, I can offer you my own guess: "Dar [algo] de comer" = "Give [something] to eat".
dar
39. intr. Servir o costear a alguien el almuerzo, la comida, etc. Dar DE comer, DE cenar
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English also has verbs followed by preposition where Spanish uses none; you have to learn them one by one.
eg: acabo de comer esa fruta - I just ate that fruit
This is one of the most common periphrases, which of course, has to be memorized as well. There are a hundred or more periphrases, and ten of them (or so) are essential.
La película duró más de dos horas.
I have noticed other users that have trouble with this little word and I hope we get some simple easy to understand teaching since I get stuck a lot on knowing whether to pop it into the sentence of not.
"Más dos horas" means "plus two hours", while "más de dos horas" means "more than" two hours. You use "than", we use "de".
It's worse than you think:
As I said, "dar" is an essential verb, so it is plagued with unique expressions that have to be learnt individually. There are no useful rules to simplify this picture:
~ que decir.
1. loc. verb. Ofrecer ocasión a murmuración y a censura.
dar que hablar.
1. loc. verb. Ocupar la atención pública por algún tiempo.
2. loc. verb. dar que decir.
dar que hacer.
1. loc. verb. Causar molestia o perjuicios.
dar que pensar.
1. loc. verb. dar en qué pensar.
dar que sentir.
1. loc. verb. Causar pesadumbre o perjuicio.
Real Academia Española © Todos los derechos reservados
So, the answer to the question "When do you put "de" in between two verbs?" is simple: when the first verb is used in a construction or expression that demands this preposition. When does a verb have "de"? When the dictionary says so. There are no rules.
click here
it's like a formula
verb + de + infinitive of other verb
eg: acabo de comer esa fruta - I just ate that fruit
that link'll take you to a page with a list of verbs that follow that little formula
In Spanish, many verbs must be followed by a preposition, which may or may not correspond to the preposition (if any) used in English.
Verbs followed by an infinitive Verbs with a, verbs with con, verbs with de, verbs with en, verbs with por, and verbs with no preposition.
Verbs followed by an object: Verbs with a, verbs with con, verbs with de, verbs with en, verbs with por, and verbs with no preposition.
(Many of us struggle with verbs followed by prepositions).
Also, to put a "que" in there always confuses me.
Hi! I would like to share the next link with you. It's very useful to understand your question. link text
It's worse than you think:
dar de comer
dar de cenar
dar que pensar
dar que hablar
dar a entender
dar a conocer
darle por caminar
darle por cantar
hi: "dar de comer ..." is a sort of "collocation" (I'm not sure if it's the right term)
you use some verbs with certain prepositions:
dar de comer/beber; pensar en algo / pensar en hacer algo; acabar de hacer algo; comenzar a hacer algo; terminar de hacer algo; dejar de hacer algo;
right now I can't remember other verbs
=)
Dewclaw's list helped a lot, so thanks
But, I guess I still don't understand why it's "dar de comer...".
eg: acabo de comer esa fruta - I just ate that fruit
If I were to conjugate "dar" to, oh let's say, "doy", what would this mean?
Doy de comer al perro - I just gave food to the dog. Correct?
I will give another example of using de that is confusing and I am not sure of the construction.
La película duró más de dos horas.
The movie lasted over 2 hours.
I have noticed other users that have trouble with this little word and I hope we get some simple easy to understand teaching since I get stuck a lot on knowing whether to pop it into the sentence of not.
Dar de comer al perro = Dar comida al perro.
Dar de palos. Golpear.
Dar de comer. Alimentar.
¿Qué me vas a dar de comer?
Saludos.
dar de comer al perro
Yes, if you wish to preserve the English syntax, then "something to eat" is your best bet.
I found a really good example of what is being discussed:
Cuando acabe de cenar voy a salir.
When I finish eating dinner I'm going to go out.
I looked at dewclaws' list. So...is it a matter of memorization? Would it be best if I just memorize the verbs where "de" is needed?
Thank you for the reply Luis , but it does not explainthe why for me ,
I know I am a bit thick , but does de take on the meaning ofsome in
these instances? 
