Verb Complements

Question

Like so many other Spanish learners, I've been frustrated with understanding things like why it's "quiero caminar" but "empezo a caminar". I have read a few articles and they all just seem to say "you need to memorize what goes with that." Well, this is great when it's things you've had a chance to see before (and remember), but for new words this isn't always easy.

Then I found an appendix of an old book I forgot that I had. In the Appendix are over 1000 common verbs with simple, enumerated ways to use complements with the verb. As examples:

• aceptar + inf. I don't need a
• acertar + a + inf. I need a
• acabar + de + inf. I need de or....
• acabar + por + inf. I need por

There were similar entries for other types of compelemnts:

• acentuar + alg. Follow the verb with most any object
• acceder + a + alg. Follow the verb with any object, but need a
• apartarse + de + uno/alg. Follow with anything or person but need de

So why don't I see anything like this in any of my dictionaries? Yes, transitive and intransitive are indicate, but only for intransitive verbs is it perfectly clear. This collected information seems exclusive to the appendix of one book I have. Sample sentences are great, but defined rules are even better.

This looks like useful information that you have in your book. If you can find a way to share some of it here, I'm sure it would be appreciated. Please also give more information about yourself in your profile. Thanks! - Jubilado, Mar 11, 2016

When you add your gender, and levels of fluency in English and Spanish in your profile, I'll give you a vote here. - Jubilado, Mar 11, 2016

Updated. The book title is "Spanish Grammar for Independent Learners" by Avigail Azoulay. - ArgleBargle, Mar 11, 2016

Welcome to SpanishDict. - rac1, Mar 11, 2016

Answer 1

This is called 'complemento de régimen' I have learned some by using them eg I have had to email my teacher several times to say I cannot attend class so I know it is always asistir a.

When learning verbs of change I got used to convirtirse en and I have used sonar con. When you come across a useful one write it down, including a memorable sentence or the one you first saw.

Sometimes the preposition changes the meaning and sometimes it isn't an invariable one it is the use of the personal a.

Here are some previous posts about the verb + a. NB any post from Lazurus is worth reading and remembering.

previous answer 1

previous answer 2

I think 501 Spanish verbs has examples in the helpful indices at the back.

Finally profe de ele is a very useful site. Here are some exercises and he also has a downloadable list.

Profe de Ele

Answer 2

Thanks for the update and the title of the book. I don't know why this information is not in more books which doesn't answer your question. I've personally never considered the presence of a preposition after certain verbs linked to an infinitive as related to the conjugated verb being transitive or intransitive as it always seemed to me to be something I had to memorize because there wasn't a rule to cover the preference of various prepositions or none between the main verb governing an infinitive.

I'm sorry this is not a very helpful answer but maybe you will find more clarification in the future and can share that as well.

I feel quite like I've stumbled on a secret nobody knows. I'd argue that this is something indispensable in any translation dictionary. I suppose I could take what I've found in the appendix and start my own website with the info.Copyright is an issue :-( - ArgleBargle, Mar 12, 2016