In Spanish, the phrase “Acabar de + infinitivo” is a common and useful construction that allows speakers to express that an action has just been completed. It translates to “to have just done something” in English. This structure is widely used in everyday conversations and is essential for anyone learning Spanish to master. Whether you’re talking about finishing a meal, completing a task, or arriving somewhere, “Acabar de + infinitivo” is a go-to phrase.

In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this construction, including common expressions, conjugation rules, and practical examples.

Common Expressions Using Acabar de + Infinitivo

Here’s a list of common expressions using “Acabar de + infinitivo” that you’ll hear in daily Spanish conversations:

1. Acabar de comer – To have just eaten
2. Acabar de llegar – To have just arrived
3. Acabar de terminar – To have just finished
4. Acabar de hablar – To have just spoken
5. Acabar de salir – To have just left
6. Acabar de escribir – To have just written
7. Acabar de limpiar – To have just cleaned
8. Acabar de estudiar – To have just studied
9. Acabar de trabajar – To have just worked
10. Acabar de ducharse – To have just showered

These expressions are used frequently in everyday life, making them essential for conversational Spanish.

Things to Keep in Mind

When using “Acabar de + infinitivo”, there are a few key points to remember:

1. No Articles Needed: Unlike other constructions, you don’t need to use articles (el, la, los, las) before the infinitive verb.
   Example: Acabo de comer (I have just eaten) – Not Acabo de la comer.
2. Gender and Plurality: The verb “acabar” conjugates according to the subject, but the infinitive verb remains unchanged regardless of gender or number.
   Example: Ella acaba de comer (She has just eaten) / Ellos acaban de comer (They have just eaten).
3. Tense Consistency: “Acabar de + infinitivo” is primarily used in the present tense to describe recent actions. However, it can also be used in the past tense to indicate that something had just happened.
   Example: Acababa de salir (I had just left).
4. Reflexive Verbs: If the infinitive verb is reflexive, the reflexive pronoun must agree with the subject.
   Example: Acabo de ducharme (I have just showered).

When to Use Acabar de + Infinitivo

The construction “Acabar de + infinitivo” is used in the following situations:

1. To Describe Recent Actions: It’s used to talk about something that just happened.
   Example: Acabo de ver a María (I have just seen María).
2. To Emphasize Timing: It highlights that an action was completed very recently.
   Example: Acaban de llegar cuando empezó a llover (They had just arrived when it started to rain).
3. In Narratives: It’s often used in storytelling to indicate the sequence of events.
   Example: Acababa de salir de casa cuando sonó el teléfono (I had just left the house when the phone rang).

Conjugation

Regular Verbs

The verb “acabar” is conjugated according to the subject, while the infinitive verb remains in its base form. Here’s how to conjugate “acabar” in the present tense:

Examples:

• Yo acabo de comer (I have just eaten).
• Ellos acaban de llegar (They have just arrived).

Irregular Verbs

While “acabar” itself is a regular verb, some infinitive verbs used with it may be irregular. However, since the infinitive form is used, there’s no need to worry about irregular conjugations. The focus remains on conjugating “acabar” correctly.

List of Verbs in Acabar de + Infinitivo

More Example Sentences

1. Acabo de ver una película. (I have just watched a movie.)
2. Acabas de perder tu oportunidad. (You have just missed your chance.)
3. Él acaba de comprar un coche nuevo. (He has just bought a new car.)
4. Nosotros acabamos de limpiar la casa. (We have just cleaned the house.)
5. Ellos acaban de ganar el partido. (They have just won the game.)
6. Acabo de recibir una noticia importante. (I have just received important news.)
7. Ella acaba de terminar su tarea. (She has just finished her homework.)
8. Usted acaba de llegar a tiempo. (You have just arrived on time.)
9. Acabamos de conocer a nuestros vecinos. (We have just met our neighbors.)
10. Ellas acaban de salir de la reunión. (They have just left the meeting.)

Fill in the Blanks

1. Yo _______ de comer. (acabar)
2. Tú _______ de llegar. (acabar)
3. Él _______ de terminar su trabajo. (acabar)
4. Nosotros _______ de limpiar la casa. (acabar)
5. Ellos _______ de estudiar para el examen. (acabar)
6. Ella _______ de ducharse. (acabar)
7. Usted _______ de hablar con el jefe. (acabar)
8. Vosotros _______ de salir del cine. (acabar)
9. Ellas _______ de escribir una carta. (acabar)
10. Yo _______ de ver una película interesante. (acabar)

Answers:

1. acabo
2. acabas
3. acaba
4. acabamos
5. acaban
6. acaba
7. acaba
8. acabáis
9. acaban
10. acabo

Conclusion

Mastering “Acabar de + infinitivo” is a game-changer for anyone learning Spanish. It’s a simple yet powerful construction that allows you to express recent actions with ease. By understanding its conjugation, usage, and common expressions, you’ll be able to incorporate it seamlessly into your conversations. Practice with the examples and exercises provided, and soon enough, you’ll be using “Acabar de + infinitivo” like a native speaker! ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)

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