Why do you do this in spanish?

Question

In spanish why would you put "me tengo que poner a estudiar para el examen del martes" Why not " Tengo que poner a estudiar para el examen del martes" Why do you put the "me" and turn tener into a reflex verb? I have also seen this put in front of other verbs as well that are not usually reflex.

In the search box under "Ask a Question" put this in: Watch your language! Part 1 Capitalization; You can also review English rules on capitalization (British: capitalisation) on line or in a book. - Jubilado, May 17, 2016

Answer 1

Me tengo que poner / Tengo que ponerme - both are correct.

Poner is a transitive verb, so if you don´t indicate "what is being put" no one knows what you are talking about.

Poner is also used in many idiomatic phrases, so it doesn´t make sense to translate it word for word.

If you don´t want speak idiomatically, you can say simply "Tengo que estudiar" but the nuance is of less urgency unless you add something like "ahora mismo", "de inmediato", "con ganas".

Answer 2

I think the me belongs with poner

me tengo que poner = tengo que ponerme

me tengo que poner a estudiar para el examen del martes

I have to put myself to studying for Tuesday’s exam.

In many cases the use of the pronominal version of a verb just changes its meaning in some way, sometimes quite subtly, and sometimes much more dramatically. You just have to learn it with the verbs I think.

See this definition:

http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/ponerse

3 (iniciar)

A no direct translation

ponerse a hacer algo to start doing something

Iniciar could be translate as start. Isn't it? - 000a35ff, May 18, 2016

Yes- start, begin, commence= iniciar, empezar,comenzar- all seem synonyms to me. :) - bosquederoble, May 18, 2016

But in English we can say put yourself to doing something, although it sounds a bit informal and may not work in British English. And it requires the same reflexive. :) - bosquederoble, May 18, 2016

Ok I put myself to giving you thanks ;) - 000a35ff, May 18, 2016

Answer 3

I agree with all of these answers. When I see a pronoun that doesn't make sense to me I try attaching it to the action verb (infinitive verb) to see if that helps clear up the confusion. When I speak I always attach the pronomial/reflexive pronoun to the action verb in the infinitive. To me it just makes more sense.

Now I have to tell you that the people I know almost never to this. They say: " Me tengo que poner ...." and I say: "Tengo que ponerme ...." Both are correct as stated by every answer here.

When it really gets confusing is when both the helping verb and the action verb both can be used pronomially.

Answer 4

That isn't a rule. I'll try to explain it: Me tengo que poner a estudiar: i have to/should put myself to study (not very sure) The "me" word, is used when some action involves you, as example: Me dio hambre por ver la comida (i get hungry because I see the food) Me tengo que poner un suéter/abrigo, hace frío afuera (I have to wear a coat, It's cold outside. If you don't want to use the "me" word, you can say the same thing, usoing other words, as: "Debo ponerme a estudiar para el exámen de mañana." "Debo comer, porque me dió hambre por ver la comida" "Debo ponerme un suéter/abrigo, hace frío afuera" (you can say porque hace frío afuera, you are explaining why do you wear a suéter/abrigo)

Answer 5

See my answer here:

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