¿ Debes a leer tu sobrino? (I give up!)

Question

Instructions are: - ¿Qué verbo es? Choose the most logical verb to complete each sentence, using the correct form.

The choices are : ¿ (aprender, creer, deber) a leer tu sobrino?

I've tried: -¿ Debes a leer tu sobrino?

-¿ Tú debes a leer tu sobrino?

-¿ Debe a leer tu sobrino?

-¿ Debo a leer tu sobrino?

-¿ Debemos a leer tu sobrino?

-¿ Deben a leer tu sobrino?

None of them are correct!

Answer 1

Hi, Rachel. UnMica answered well, I just wanted to (try and) add some "clarity".

Aprender is one of those verbs that is constantly paired up with "a" (i.e., "aprender a nadar", "aprender a caminar"...comparable to "learn to __"). However, deber is usually (though, not always) just paired with the infinitive form of the verb (i.e. "deber leer", "deber caminar", etc.). Regarding "creer", I've seen "creer en" (believe in), "creer que" (believe that), and a few other things, but never with "a + an infinitive". I wouldn't rule out the possibility, but I'd think it was pretty unlikely.

So, in a nutshell, you can scratch out leer and deber as they're most unlikely and aprender would be more logical. I hope that made some kind of sense and that you found it helpful. Good luck with your Spanish learning.

Also, here is a link to lists that shows other common pairings between verbs and prepositions. It may help to familiarize yourself with them. Good luck!

That is so Helpful! Because deber is used with an infinitive, I thought that was what they wanted. Didn't know about the "a" or its use with apprender. Thanks again. - RachelC, Jul 3, 2012

You're welcome. I'm glad it helped :o) - Goldie_Miel, Jul 3, 2012

Answer 2

Well I'd say "aprende a leer," personally. Can't say you didn't try, though!

I thought I had tried that! I must have mispelled it or something. That was correct one. Thanks. - RachelC, Jul 2, 2012

you're welcome! - unMica, Jul 2, 2012