In Spanish, some verbs are often accompanied by specific prepositions. This information is very useful, because it helps you to learn these verbs and preposition combos as collocations in order to use them successfully.

Spanish

English

Me encanta ayudar a las personas.

I love helping people.

Note that this does not mean the verbes cannot be used with other prepositions, but that it is more common to use them with the following ones.

Verbs Used with the Preposition A

Rule 1. The following verbs often appear with the preposition a.

ayudar a
acostumbrar a
atreverse a
comprometerse a
limitarse a
empezar a
ayudar a
acostumbrar a
atreverse a
comprometerse a
limitarse a
empezar a

Spanish

English

Nunca me he atrevido a hacer puentismo.

I have never dared to go bungee jumping.

Verbs Used with the Preposition en

Rule 2. The following verbs often appear with the preposition en.

pensar en
dudar en
consistir en
insistir en
tardar en
quedar en
pensar en
dudar en
consistir en
insistir en
tardar en
quedar en

Spanish

English

Espero que no tarden en preparar nuestra orden.

I hope it won't take long to prepare our order.

Verbs Used with the Preposition de

Rule 3. The following verbs often appear with the preposition de.

alegrarse de
disfrutar de
arrepentirse de
acordarse de
olvidarse de
abusar de
adueñarse de
alegrarse de
disfrutar de
arrepentirse de
acordarse de
olvidarse de
abusar de
adueñarse de

Spanish

English

Toda mi familia se alegró de mi ascenso.

My whole family was delighted with my promotion.

Verbs Used with the Preposition con

Rule 4. The following verbs often appear with the preposition con. Remember that when the preposition con is accompanied by the pronouns yo or tú, you have to contract them to conmigo and contigo, respectively.

soñar con
casarse con
romper con
contar con
soñar con
casarse con
romper con
contar con

Spanish

English

Anoche soñé contigo, fue un sueño muy raro.

Last night I dreamt about you, it was a very strange dream.

Quiz

1/3

Nos debemos atrever ___ decir sí más seguido.

0

correct answers.