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"Prestar atención" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to pay attention", and "incidir" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to have a bearing". Learn more about the difference between "prestar atención" and "incidir" below.
prestar atención(
prehs
-
tahr
ah
-
tehn
-
syohn
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (general)
a. to pay attention
Quiero que todos aquí presten atención a lo que voy a decir.I want everyone here to pay attention to what I'm about to say.
Es importante prestar atención a lo que comemos y a las calorías que consumimos.It's important to pay attention to what we eat and to the calories we consume.
incidir(
een
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see
-
deer
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (formal) (to have an impact)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. to have a bearing
El entorno social del alumno incide en la capacidad de aprendizaje.A pupil's social environment has a bearing on his or her learning ability.
b. to influence
Las opiniones de mi mentor inciden directamente sobre las mías.My mentor's opinions directly influence mine.
c. to affect
La dieta y el ejercicio son factores que inciden sobre la salud en general.Diet and exercise are factors which affect one's general health.
2. (formal) (to place emphasis)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. to stress
El profesor incidió en que era importante memorizar las fechas para aprobar el examen.The teacher stressed that it was important to memorize the dates in order to pass the exam.
3. (formal) (to lapse)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. to fall
No se debe incidir en el error común de agregar demasiada agua a la mezcla.One shouldn't fall into the common error of adding too much water to the mixture.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (medicine)
a. to incise
El cirujano incidió el abdomen, dejando expuesto el estómago.The surgeon incised the abdomen, exposing the stomach.
