Using a conjugated verb with a gerundio.
During a practice session today on "beginners chat" we translated the following sentence:
"How in the world do you expect us to finish it by lunch. We just finished building the wall a hour ago."
One translation was:
"Cómo en el mundo hace esperarán a terminar por almuerzo. Acabamos construyendo la pared hace uno hora."
1.) Please provide a correct translation.
2.) A discussion was purseud: Can a conjugated verb be used with a gerundio (ie: "Acabamos construyendo")? Is a gerundio only used with "estar" or a conjugated form of "estar"?
I have researched and not found a answer.
12 Answers
Daniel said:
So: "Acabamos construyendo" is proper grammer?
I don´t think so. I believe you are trying to say "we had just finishing" which is bad English, I don´t know about Spanish. What you are trying to translate is "to have just" which is "acabar de" which I think is normally followed by the infinitive.
En la sala hay un piano de cola. Parece que alguien acaba de tocarlo, porque está abierto todavía.
In the living room is a grand piano. It appears someone has just played it because the lid is still open.
What about this:
"Íbamos a construir una mansión, y finalmente terminamos construyendo una casita".
I know it's not the same meaning than the original post, but it's a valid expression to me.
You are so kind. I did not know if my request was out of line. You have me wearing a "SMILEY FACE". Thank you.
I will let you know about the next session that I know of.
Heidita said:
Hi daniel, lets try these:!)Yesterday I went to buy bread but I could only find cake. I went home very disappointed and didn't buy anything.2) When I was eating yesterday, my friend rang. He invited me to a party. I wanted to go, but I had a cold and could not go. I was unhappy, my friend's party's are always very good
Ok, have a go at translating them, then you can talk about parties, dinner, shopping. Do you eat bread? Do you go to parties? When was you last? Do you normally have dinner or rather lunch or both'Invite me to your chat I will help you out and prompt you
>
Hi daniel, lets try these:
!)Yesterday I went to buy bread but I could only find cake. I went home very disappointed and didn't buy anything.
2) When I was eating yesterday, my friend rang. He invited me to a party. I wanted to go, but I had a cold and could not go. I was unhappy, my friend's party's are always very good
Ok, have a go at translating them, then you can talk about parties, dinner, shopping. Do you eat bread? Do you go to parties? When was you last? Do you normally have dinner or rather lunch or both?
Invite me to your chat I will help you out and prompt you
James might suggest some more sentences. Or Eddy
The last 2 lessons on "Spanishdict." were on "Pretèrito Tense". Do you have 5 sentences that we should use for our next "beginners chat" work shop'
Is a gerundio only used with "estar" or a conjugated form of "estar"'
No, the gerundio is used in other ways, too. For example, it translates to "by doing" in English.
Entró en la casa rompiendo el cristal de la ventana.
He got into the house by breaking the window (glass).
You can also use a gerundio with other verbs. One example is andar.
Te ando buscando.
I'm looking for you.
Literally: I go around looking for you.
Daniel said:
So: "Acabamos construyendo" is proper grammer?
No, it is not.
Acabamos de construir
¿Cómo es posible que espere que lo terminemos para el almuerzo? Acabamos de construir el muro hace una hora.
"By" a certain time is para.
"Just did something" is acabar de + infinitive.
Pared is a house wall, muro is a freestanding wall.
*"How in the world do you expect us to finish it by lunch. We just finished building the wall a hour ago."
One translation was:
"Cómo en el mundo hace esperarán a terminar por almuerzo. Acabamos construyendo la pared hace uno hora."
*
The correct translation would be:
¡Por Dios! ¿Cómo esperas que terminemos de construirlo para el mediodía? ¡Solo hemos levantado la pared hace una hora!
The sentences you suggest Daniel are very much above your beginner level.
As I am not too sure about the construction of number 1), I would offer the following.
No es posible que vamos a terminar por almuerzo. Hace una hora que lo acabamos de construir la pared.
So: "Acabamos construyendo" is proper grammer'
With regards item 2) a gerund can definitely be used with a conjugated verb.
hombres cubiertos con largos mandiles blancos que se afanaban trabajando sin haber etc, etc.
men dressed in large white aprons were labouring working without having etc, etc.
