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Tag: soler common uses in Spanish
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How to Use ‘Soler’ + Infinitive in Spanish to Talk About Habits | My Language Classes
How to express habits in Spanish with “soler” + infinitive
Have you ever wondered how to talk about things you usually do in Spanish? Maybe you want to say, “I usually drink coffee in the morning” or “She used to walk to school.” In English, we say “usually” or “used to” to talk about habits. But in Spanish, there’s a super useful verb that covers both — “soler.”
Whether you’re a beginner learning Spanish for travel, an intermediate student preparing for DELE, or someone who just wants to sound more natural when speaking, understanding how to use “soler” with infinitive verbs is a game-changer. It helps you express habits, daily routines, and repeated actions with ease.
In this post from My Language Classes, we’ll explore:
- ✅ What “soler + infinitive” really means
- ✅ How to use it in everyday Spanish
- ✅ The grammar rules and conjugation you need to know
- ✅ Tips, examples, and practice exercises to make it stick
Get ready to master one of the most natural and common ways to talk about your daily life in Spanish!
📘 What Is ‘Soler’ + Infinitive? Explanation and Overview
The Spanish verb “soler” is one of the most useful tools for talking about what someone usually does or used to do. It’s not just a regular verb—it’s a special verb that always comes with another verb in the infinitive form (the basic “to do” form, like comer, beber, or leer).
🔍 Meaning of “Soler”
In English, “soler” doesn’t have a direct one-word translation. Instead, it often means:
- Usually
- Tend to
- Used to (in a habitual sense)
So, when you use “soler + infinitive”, you’re describing something that happens regularly or used to happen often.
🧠 Think of it like this:
Spanish Sentence English Meaning Suelo leer por la noche. I usually read at night. Solíamos caminar al parque. We used to walk to the park. ¿Sueles tomar café por la mañana? Do you usually drink coffee in the morning? You can see that “soler” doesn’t stand alone—it always pairs with another verb to complete the idea.
💡 Why Is “Soler” Important?
Using “soler” is a powerful way to sound natural and fluent in Spanish. It helps you:
- Speak about habits and routines smoothly
- Avoid always saying “normalmente” or “generalmente”
- Talk about both present and past habitual actions
- Understand native Spanish speakers better
Whether you’re telling a story about your childhood or describing your daily routine, “soler” is your go-to verb.
🗣️ Everyday Sentences Using ‘Soler’ + Infinitive: 10 Common Examples
Now that you know what “soler + infinitive” means, let’s look at how it’s used in real, everyday Spanish. These examples will help you see it in action and understand how native speakers use it in simple conversations.
Each sentence below uses “soler” in the present or past tense, followed by a verb in the infinitive form. You’ll also find the English translation to help you connect the meaning.
✅ 10 Common Sentences with ‘Soler’
- Suelo levantarme temprano.
I usually wake up early. - Mi abuela solía cocinar pan casero los domingos.
My grandmother used to bake homemade bread on Sundays. - ¿Sueles estudiar por la noche?
Do you usually study at night? - Solemos ir al cine los fines de semana.
We usually go to the movies on weekends. - Mi hermano solía jugar en ese parque.
My brother used to play in that park. - ¿Tú sueles comer fuera o en casa?
Do you usually eat out or at home? - Los niños solían ver dibujos animados después de la escuela.
The kids used to watch cartoons after school. - Yo suelo tomar té en lugar de café.
I usually drink tea instead of coffee. - Soleíamos leer cuentos antes de dormir.
We used to read stories before bed. - ¿Ellos suelen llegar tarde?
Do they usually arrive late?
As you can see, “soler” helps you express common habits both in the present and in the past. It’s a natural way to describe how life flows—what people typically do or used to do.
🕒 When to Use ‘Soler’ + Infinitive: All the Key Situations
Understanding when to use “soler” + infinitive will make it much easier for you to speak naturally and confidently in Spanish. Whether you’re describing your current habits or talking about your past routine, soler is your go-to structure.
Here are all the key situations where using soler + infinitive makes perfect sense:
✅ 1. To Talk About Present Habits and Routines
Use “soler” in the present tense when you want to talk about something that usually happens or something you do regularly.
Examples:
- Suelo leer antes de dormir.
(I usually read before going to bed.) - ¿Sueles hacer ejercicio?
(Do you usually work out?)
✅ 2. To Describe Past Habits (That No Longer Happen)
Use “soler” in the imperfect tense (solía, solías, etc.) to talk about things that you or others used to do regularly in the past.
Examples:
- Solíamos jugar en la calle.
(We used to play in the street.) - Mi papá solía tomar café todas las mañanas.
(My dad used to drink coffee every morning.)
✅ 3. To Ask About Someone’s Usual Behavior
You can also use “soler” to ask others what they usually do in specific situations.
Examples:
- ¿Sueles viajar en verano?
(Do you usually travel in summer?) - ¿Qué solías hacer en tu tiempo libre?
(What did you used to do in your free time?)
✅ 4. In Narrations or Stories
“Soler” is very common in storytelling when describing what life was like or what people used to do.
Examples:
- Cuando era niño, solía visitar a mis abuelos cada sábado.
(When I was a child, I used to visit my grandparents every Saturday.)
✅ 5. When Replacing “Normalmente,” “Generalmente,” or “A Menudo”
Instead of using adverbs like “normally” or “often,” soler makes your Spanish more fluid and natural.
Examples:
- ❌ Generalmente camino al trabajo.
- ✅ Suelo caminar al trabajo.
(I usually walk to work.)
✅ 6. When Giving Advice or Describing Others’ Routines
Use it to gently suggest what people usually do in a certain situation.
Example:
- Los estudiantes suelen repasar antes del examen.
(Students usually review before the exam.)
Quick Tip:
Remember that “soler” is only used in the present or imperfect past tense. It is not used in the future, preterite, or other tenses.
🔤 Conjugation Rules for ‘Soler’ + Infinitive
To use “soler” + infinitive correctly in your Spanish sentences, you need to know how to conjugate “soler”, especially in the present and imperfect past tenses. Remember, “soler” is an irregular verb, so it doesn’t follow the regular -er verb endings.
It also works as a helping verb—you only conjugate soler, and then follow it with a verb in the infinitive form (like comer, ir, hacer).
✅ Present Tense Conjugation of “Soler”
Use this to talk about things you usually do now.
Subject Pronoun Soler (Present) Example Sentence yo suelo Suelo estudiar en casa. (I usually study at home.) tú sueles ¿Sueles leer novelas? (Do you usually read novels?) él/ella/usted suele Mi hermana suele dormir tarde. (My sister usually sleeps late.) nosotros/as solemos Solemos caminar por el parque. (We usually walk in the park.) vosotros/as soléis ¿Soléis ver películas los viernes? (Do you all usually watch movies on Fridays?) ellos/ellas/ustedes suelen Ellos suelen llegar temprano. (They usually arrive early.)
✅ Imperfect Past Tense Conjugation of “Soler”
Use this to talk about what you or others used to do in the past.
Subject Pronoun Soler (Imperfect) Example Sentence yo solía Solía cantar en el coro. (I used to sing in the choir.) tú solías ¿Solías vivir aquí? (Did you used to live here?) él/ella/usted solía Ella solía bailar mucho. (She used to dance a lot.) nosotros/as solíamos Solíamos visitar a los abuelos. (We used to visit our grandparents.) vosotros/as solíais ¿Solíais ir al parque? (Did you all use to go to the park?) ellos/ellas/ustedes solían Ellos solían jugar al fútbol. (They used to play soccer.)
💡 Quick Rules to Remember
- Only conjugate “soler”, never the infinitive verb that follows.
- Use present tense for current habits.
- Use imperfect tense for past routines.
- Don’t try to use “soler” in the preterite or future—those forms don’t exist in normal usage.
📚 ‘Soler’ + Infinitive Grammar Rules You Need to Know
Using “soler” + infinitive correctly requires understanding some important grammar rules. These rules will help you avoid confusion and make your Spanish sound natural and fluent.
1. “Soler” Is Always Followed by an Infinitive
- The verb after “soler” never changes form. It always stays in the infinitive (the base verb form, like hablar, comer, vivir).
Correct:
- Suelo leer libros.
- Ella solía viajar mucho.
Incorrect:
- Suelo leo libros.
- Ella solía viajó mucho.
2. Tense Agreement: Present or Imperfect Only
- Use present tense of “soler” to talk about habits or routines happening now.
- Use imperfect tense of “soler” to describe habits or routines that happened in the past but no longer do.
3. No Use of Preterite or Future
- Do not use “soler” in the preterite or future tenses. It doesn’t make sense to say solí, soleré, or similar.
Instead, use other expressions to talk about actions that happened once or will happen:
- Ayer hice ejercicio. (I exercised yesterday.)
- Mañana voy a correr. (I’m going to run tomorrow.)
4. Negative Sentences
- To make negative sentences, just add no before the conjugated “soler.”
Example:
- No suelo comer mucho por la noche.
(I don’t usually eat much at night.)
5. Questions
- To ask questions, invert the subject and the verb or simply add question marks and raise your intonation.
Examples:
- ¿Sueles practicar deportes?
- ¿Solías viajar con tu familia?
6. Subject Pronouns Can Be Omitted
- Spanish often drops the subject pronouns because the verb conjugation already shows who is doing the action.
Examples:
- (Yo) Suelo leer antes de dormir.
- (Nosotros) Solíamos ir a la playa.
7. Expressing Frequency or Habit
- “Soler” is stronger than just saying “usually” because it emphasizes a habitual tendency.
Example:
- No sólo corro los lunes, sino que suelo correr tres veces a la semana.
(I don’t just run on Mondays, but I usually run three times a week.)
These rules will guide you to use “soler” + infinitive clearly and correctly every time.
💡 Important Tips for Using ‘Soler’ Correctly
Mastering “soler” + infinitive will boost your Spanish fluency, but a few handy tips can make your learning smoother and your sentences sound natural.
1. Remember: “Soler” Expresses Habit, Not One-Time Actions
- Use “soler” only when talking about things you do regularly or usually.
- For actions happening once or rarely, avoid “soler.”
Right:
- Suelo desayunar a las 8. (I usually have breakfast at 8.)
Wrong:
- Suelo ir al cine ayer. (I usually went to the movies yesterday.)
2. Practice Using the Imperfect Tense for Past Habits
- When talking about past habits, don’t forget to conjugate “soler” in imperfect (solía, solías, etc.).
- This is different from preterite, which talks about completed actions.
3. Use the Infinitive Verb After ‘Soler’
- No matter the subject or tense of “soler,” the verb after it always stays in infinitive.
- Practicing this rule will prevent common mistakes.
4. Pair ‘Soler’ with Adverbs to Be More Specific
- You can combine “soler” with adverbs like mucho, a menudo, casi siempre to describe how often the action happens.
Examples:
- Suelo estudiar mucho antes de un examen.
- Solía ir a la playa casi siempre en verano.
5. Listen to Native Speakers and Practice
- Hearing how native speakers use “soler” will help you grasp the natural flow and rhythm.
- Try repeating sentences aloud or using them in conversations.
6. Don’t Overuse ‘Soler’—Use Alternatives
- Sometimes using alternatives like “normalmente,” “generalmente,” or “habitualmente” can make your speech or writing richer.
7. Be Mindful of Regional Differences
- While “soler” is common everywhere in the Spanish-speaking world, usage frequency can vary by country.
- Listen carefully to how people in your target dialect use it.
8. Use ‘Soler’ to Make Your Spanish More Expressive
- This verb is perfect for adding color and nuance to your descriptions about habits.
- Instead of “I do this,” say “I usually do this” to sound more natural.
Keep these tips in mind as you practice, and you’ll find yourself using “soler” + infinitive like a pro in no time!
⚠️ Common Mistakes with ‘Soler’ and How to Fix Them
Even experienced Spanish learners sometimes slip up with “soler” + infinitive. Knowing these common errors will help you avoid them and speak more confidently.
1. Mistake: Conjugating the Verb After ‘Soler’
- Wrong: Suelo voy al gimnasio.
- Right: Suelo ir al gimnasio.
Remember: The verb following “soler” must always be in the infinitive form, never conjugated.
2. Mistake: Using ‘Soler’ in Preterite or Future Tense
- Wrong: Solí estudiar mucho ayer.
- Right: Solía estudiar mucho ayer.
Tip: Use the imperfect tense (solía, solías, etc.) to talk about habitual past actions. Don’t use preterite or future with “soler.”
3. Mistake: Confusing ‘Soler’ With Other Frequency Words
- Wrong: Suelo a veces ir al cine.
- Right: Suelo ir al cine a veces.
Tip: Place frequency adverbs like a veces, siempre, nunca after the infinitive, not between “soler” and the infinitive.
4. Mistake: Using ‘Soler’ for One-Time or Rare Actions
- Wrong: Suelo ir a esa fiesta el año pasado.
- Right: Fui a esa fiesta el año pasado. (No “soler” here!)
Tip: Use “soler” only for habitual or repeated actions, not single events.
5. Mistake: Forgetting the Negative ‘No’ Placement
- Wrong: Suelo no comer tarde.
- Right: No suelo comer tarde.
Tip: The no should come before the conjugated verb “soler.”
6. Mistake: Overusing ‘Soler’ When Alternatives Work Better
- Wrong: Suelo normalmente ir al mercado.
- Right: Normalmente suelo ir al mercado.
- Or simply: Normalmente voy al mercado.
Tip: Don’t stack frequency words unnecessarily; keep sentences clear and natural.
7. Mistake: Using ‘Soler’ with Imperative (Commands)
- Wrong: Suele ir al médico. (As a command)
- Right: Ve al médico.
Tip: “Soler” isn’t used in commands. Use the imperative form of the verb instead.
By catching these errors early, your use of “soler” + infinitive will become more accurate and fluent!
✨ 20 ‘Soler’ Example Sentences for Better Understanding
- Suelo levantarme temprano todos los días.
(I usually get up early every day.) - Mi hermana suele estudiar por la noche.
(My sister usually studies at night.) - Antes solíamos ir a la playa en verano.
(We used to go to the beach in summer.) - ¿Sueles tomar café por la mañana?
(Do you usually drink coffee in the morning?) - No suelo comer mucha carne.
(I don’t usually eat much meat.) - Solíamos pasar las vacaciones con nuestros abuelos.
(We used to spend vacations with our grandparents.) - Mi padre suele trabajar hasta tarde.
(My father usually works until late.) - Suelo leer libros antes de dormir.
(I usually read books before sleeping.) - Ellos suelen llegar tarde a las reuniones.
(They usually arrive late to meetings.) - No solía hacer ejercicio cuando era joven.
(I didn’t use to exercise when I was young.) - ¿Solías vivir en esta ciudad?
(Did you use to live in this city?) - Suelo ver la televisión después de cenar.
(I usually watch TV after dinner.) - Nosotros solemos viajar en verano.
(We usually travel in summer.) - No suelo ir al cine los fines de semana.
(I don’t usually go to the movies on weekends.) - Solía estudiar francés en la universidad.
(I used to study French in college.) - ¿Sueles cocinar en casa o salir a comer?
(Do you usually cook at home or eat out?) - Ella suele escuchar música mientras trabaja.
(She usually listens to music while working.) - Antes no solíamos tener tanto tiempo libre.
(We didn’t used to have so much free time before.) - Suelo hacer ejercicio por las mañanas.
(I usually exercise in the mornings.) - No solíamos ver tanta televisión cuando éramos niños.
(We didn’t use to watch so much TV when we were kids.)
These sentences show “soler” in present and imperfect tenses and cover positive, negative, and question forms.
📝 ‘Soler’ Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise: Test Your Knowledge
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “soler” (present or imperfect) followed by the infinitive verb in parentheses.
- Yo _________ (levantarse) temprano todos los días.
- Antes nosotros _________ (ir) a la playa cada verano.
- ¿Tú _________ (beber) café por la mañana?
- Ella no _________ (comer) carne.
- Mis padres _________ (trabajar) hasta tarde.
- Cuando era niño, no _________ (hacer) ejercicio.
- Nosotros _________ (viajar) en verano.
- ¿Usted _________ (estudiar) español en la universidad?
- Ellos _________ (llegar) tarde a las reuniones.
- Yo no _________ (ver) mucha televisión cuando era pequeño.
- ¿Tú _________ (escuchar) música mientras estudias?
- Solíamos _________ (pasar) las vacaciones con la familia.
- Él _________ (leer) libros antes de dormir.
- No _________ (salir) mucho los fines de semana.
- Vosotros _________ (cocinar) en casa, ¿verdad?
- Ella _________ (trabajar) en esa empresa antes.
- Nosotros no _________ (usar) redes sociales hace años.
- ¿Ustedes _________ (practicar) deportes cuando estaban en la escuela?
- Mi hermano _________ (jugar) al fútbol los sábados.
- Yo no _________ (hacer) tarea los domingos.
✅ Check Your Answers for the ‘Soler’ Exercise
- Yo suelo levantarme temprano todos los días.
- Antes nosotros solíamos ir a la playa cada verano.
- ¿Tú sueles beber café por la mañana?
- Ella no suele comer carne.
- Mis padres suelen trabajar hasta tarde.
- Cuando era niño, no solía hacer ejercicio.
- Nosotros solemos viajar en verano.
- ¿Usted solía estudiar español en la universidad?
- Ellos suelen llegar tarde a las reuniones.
- Yo no solía ver mucha televisión cuando era pequeño.
- ¿Tú sueles escuchar música mientras estudias?
- Solíamos pasar las vacaciones con la familia. (“Solíamos” already conjugated)
- Él suele leer libros antes de dormir.
- No suelo salir mucho los fines de semana.
- Vosotros soléis cocinar en casa, ¿verdad?
- Ella solía trabajar en esa empresa antes.
- Nosotros no solíamos usar redes sociales hace años.
- ¿Ustedes solían practicar deportes cuando estaban en la escuela?
- Mi hermano suele jugar al fútbol los sábados.
- Yo no suelo hacer tarea los domingos.
Feel free to review these examples, and try making your own sentences with “soler”!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Using ‘Soler’ + Infinitive
1. What does “soler” mean in Spanish?
“Soler” means to usually do something or to be accustomed to doing something. It talks about habitual or repeated actions in the past or present.
2. How is “soler” different from the verb “hacer”?
“Hacer” means to do or to make, but it doesn’t express habit. “Soler” specifically indicates that something happens regularly or usually.
3. Can I use “soler” in the future tense?
No, “soler” is rarely used in the future tense. Instead, you use the present tense to talk about future habits or plans.
4. What tenses can I use with “soler”?
The most common tenses are present (suelo, sueles, suele…) and imperfect past (solía, solías…). You can also find it in the preterite, but it’s uncommon.
5. Does “soler” always need an infinitive after it?
Yes, “soler” is always followed by an infinitive verb to express the habitual action.
6. Can “soler” be used with reflexive verbs?
Yes! For example:
- Suelo levantarme temprano. (I usually get up early.)
The infinitive includes the reflexive pronoun attached.
7. How do I form negative sentences with “soler”?
Place “no” before the conjugated “soler”:
- No suelo comer mucho. (I don’t usually eat much.)
8. Can “soler” be used in questions?
Yes, just invert the subject and the verb or use question words:
- ¿Sueles ir al cine? (Do you usually go to the movies?)
9. Is “soler” formal or informal?
“Soler” is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
10. Can “soler” express habits in the past?
Yes, use the imperfect tense to express past habitual actions:
- Cuando era niño, solía jugar en el parque. (When I was a child, I used to play in the park.)
📌 Key Takeaways: ‘Soler’ Summary and Important Points
- “Soler” + infinitive is used to talk about habitual or usual actions in Spanish.
- It means to usually do or to be accustomed to doing something.
- The verb is most commonly used in the present tense (suelo, sueles, suele…) and imperfect past tense (solía, solías, solía…).
- Always follow “soler” with an infinitive verb (e.g., soler comer, soler viajar).
- It can be used with reflexive verbs by attaching the reflexive pronoun to the infinitive (e.g., suelo levantarme).
- Negative sentences place “no” before the conjugated form of “soler” (e.g., no suelo beber).
- “Soler” is rarely used in the future tense; habitual future actions are usually expressed with the present tense.
- You can form questions by inverting the subject and verb (e.g., ¿Sueles ir…?).
- It is a neutral form appropriate for both formal and informal speech.
- The imperfect form is great for expressing past habits or repeated actions (e.g., solía jugar).
🎯 Conclusion: Mastering “Soler” + Infinitive for Habitual Actions in Spanish
Understanding how to use “soler” + infinitive is a powerful step toward speaking Spanish naturally and fluently. This handy verb allows you to express habits and routines clearly, whether in the present or when talking about past repeated actions. By practicing conjugation, paying attention to common mistakes, and using “soler” in everyday sentences, you’ll gain confidence and add nuance to your Spanish conversations.
Remember, habitual actions form an essential part of language fluency. Keep practicing the examples, fill in the blanks, and FAQs shared here to deepen your understanding. Soon, you’ll find it easy to describe your routines, habits, and customary behaviors with precision.
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