"To start"

Question

So, I thought I knew how to say "to start" or "begin to start to do something"-Empenzar/comenzar, but now I'm learning there's another way to express this. The new phrase I learned today: "Me he puesto a pensar."; however, I'm confused about how to use this expression, "ponerse a (infinitive)", because every example I've seen so far is in the preterite, or some past tense, does it have to be? Is "ponerse a" more common than comenzar or empenzar?

Just a little spelling correction 'empezar' :) - dennywells, Jan 18, 2014

Answer 1

I have heard this phrase used frequently in the present tense by native Spanish speakers.

For example if a child was misbehaving the mother might say "ponte a pensar", meaning quit acting stupid and start using your head. I suppose literally it's something like 'put yourself into it', or 'apply yourself'. From hearing it used I would consider it less formal than empezar/comenzar, and I would be hesitant to say it to a stranger. To me it would be like saying 'get over here', not literally but in that vein. But that might just be my spin on it from personal experience.

Answer 2

Here is an older thread... - "Ponerse a v. Empezar a"

I think it will help... =)