Terminar de...

Question

You would think that "I finished building it" would be translated as "Terminé constriuirlo" but instead it's "Terminé de construirlo". Why do verbs sometimes use "de" in this kind of construction where it doesn't appear to serve a purpose? A verb with a similar meaning is "acabar", but when "de" is added to that verb, it changes them meaning slightly - "to have JUST (done something"). But this doesn't appear to be the case with "terminar". Maybe I should just accept this and move on, but my analytical background makes me want to know why!

Analysis will drive you crazy if you want to learn languages. There are a lot of illogical twists and turns. This is why little children are best at learning them. They don't question. - Daniela2041, Aug 25, 2016

Answer 1

All languages have what I call "post positions" following certain verbs. Post positions are prepositions that follow the verb.

In addition to what Bosquederoble gave you: listen to, look at, Put out (the fire), etc.

In Spanish you have terminar de, acabar de, asistir a, empezar a and others. Wait till you get to "acabar por"

Here is a link to verbs with prepositions. (a big bunch of them)

link to verbs with prepositions

I think I deleted my comment before I knew you were going to answer based on it- I had put the difference between look at and see something (not see at and look something) and listen to vs. hear something. :) - bosquederoble, Aug 25, 2016

thanks Daniela for your help but your link says "terminar de..." means "stop" which doesn't answer my question. I still gave you a vote because you've always been there to provide help - for me & others - thanks ve aways attempted to help me - t8805jg, Aug 26, 2016

My answer was in what I wrote. My link was just to give you more, plus examples. - Daniela2041, Aug 26, 2016

You're right- I forgot about that (& the link IS helpful) If you taught spanish near Ptld OR, I'd sign up! - t8805jg, Aug 26, 2016