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Understanding ‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’ | My Language Classes

Verb Phrases in Spanish Explained
If you’ve ever wondered how to say things like “I stopped eating sugar,” “I started studying again,” or “I’m still learning Spanish” in Spanish—then you’re in exactly the right place.
Spanish verb phrases like “dejar de”, “volver a”, and “seguir” are simple but powerful expressions that help you talk about habits, changes, and ongoing actions in everyday conversations. These are called perífrasis verbales or verb phrase structures, and they’re essential grammar tools every Spanish learner needs to master—whether you’re just starting out or trying to sound more fluent.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to use these everyday phrases with real-life examples, clear rules, and helpful tips to avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re saying you’ve stopped doing something (dejar de), started again (volver a), or are still doing it (seguir), you’ll soon be able to express yourself naturally and confidently in Spanish.
Let’s dive into these high-frequency verbs and start using them like a native speaker!
What Is ‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’? Explanation and Overview
When learning Spanish, it’s important not just to learn verbs, but also the common phrases that come with them. That’s where ‘dejar de’, ‘volver a’, and ‘seguir’ come in. These are called verb phrases (or perífrasis verbales in Spanish), and they help describe how actions happen over time—whether they stop, start again, or continue.
Let’s break each one down simply:
✅ Dejar de + infinitive
Meaning: To stop doing something
English equivalent: to quit, to stop, to give up
- Example: Dejé de fumar. – “I stopped smoking.”
✅ Volver a + infinitive
Meaning: To do something again
English equivalent: to go back to, to do again, to return to
- Example: Volvimos a ver esa película. – “We watched that movie again.”
✅ Seguir + gerund (verb ending in -ando/-iendo)
Meaning: To continue doing something
English equivalent: to keep doing, to still be doing
- Example: Sigo estudiando español. – “I’m still studying Spanish.”
Why These Phrases Matter
These verb structures are used every single day by native Spanish speakers to talk about actions that:
- Have stopped (dejar de)
- Have started again (volver a)
- Are still happening (seguir)
They help you:
- Express your routines and habits
- Talk about personal goals or changes
- Understand native conversations more easily
- Sound more natural when speaking Spanish
Simple Pattern to Remember
Verb Phrase | Structure Example | English Meaning |
---|---|---|
dejar de | dejar de + [infinitive] | to stop doing something |
volver a | volver a + [infinitive] | to do something again |
seguir | seguir + [gerund] | to continue doing something |
Everyday Sentences Using ‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’: 10 Common Examples
The best way to learn how to use ‘dejar de’, ‘volver a’, and ‘seguir’ is by seeing them in real sentences. These examples are taken straight from everyday conversations. You’ll hear phrases like these all the time from native Spanish speakers.
Each example includes the Spanish sentence and its English translation, so you can see exactly how the meaning works.
✅ Examples with “Dejar de” (To Stop Doing Something)
- Dejé de comer carne hace dos años.
I stopped eating meat two years ago. - ¿Vas a dejar de fumar algún día?
Are you going to stop smoking someday? - Mi hermana dejó de estudiar medicina.
My sister quit studying medicine. - Tenemos que dejar de gastar tanto dinero.
We have to stop spending so much money.
🔁 Examples with “Volver a” (To Do Again)
- Volvimos a hablar después de muchos años.
We talked again after many years. - Voy a volver a intentar mañana.
I’m going to try again tomorrow. - ¿Volverás a visitarnos este verano?
Will you visit us again this summer?
🔄 Examples with “Seguir” (To Keep Doing Something)
- Sigo aprendiendo español todos los días.
I keep learning Spanish every day. - ¿Todavía sigues trabajando en la misma empresa?
Are you still working at the same company? - El niño seguía llorando cuando llegamos.
The child was still crying when we arrived.
These simple examples show how these verbs help you talk about real actions, past or present. You can mix them with almost any activity—eating, working, learning, reading, or even relaxing!
When to Use ‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’: All the Key Situations
Now that you’ve seen some real examples, it’s time to break down exactly when to use each of these Spanish verb phrases. These expressions are common, but each one has a unique purpose. Knowing when to use them is the key to speaking naturally and correctly.
Let’s explore the different situations for each phrase, with simple examples and explanations.
✅ When to Use “Dejar de” – To Stop Doing Something
Use “dejar de + infinitive” when you want to talk about:
- Quitting a habit
Ejemplo: Dejé de fumar. – I quit smoking. - Ending an activity
Ejemplo: Dejamos de ver la serie. – We stopped watching the series. - Stopping a repeated behavior
Ejemplo: ¿Por qué no dejas de interrumpirme? – Why don’t you stop interrupting me? - Changing lifestyle choices
Ejemplo: Mi papá dejó de tomar alcohol. – My dad stopped drinking alcohol.
🔁 When to Use “Volver a” – To Do Something Again
Use “volver a + infinitive” when you’re talking about doing something again or returning to a past action.
- Restarting something after stopping
Ejemplo: Volví a estudiar después de un año. – I started studying again after a year. - Revisiting old habits or routines
Ejemplo: Voy a volver a correr por las mañanas. – I’m going to start running again in the mornings. - Giving something another try
Ejemplo: Tenemos que volver a intentarlo. – We have to try again. - Resuming contact or communication
Ejemplo: Volví a hablar con mi ex. – I started talking to my ex again.
🔄 When to Use “Seguir” – To Continue Doing Something
Use “seguir + gerund (verb ending in -ando or -iendo)” to talk about actions that are still happening or that continue over time.
- Ongoing actions in the present
Ejemplo: Sigo estudiando cada noche. – I still study every night. - Continued habits or routines
Ejemplo: ¿Sigues yendo al gimnasio? – Do you still go to the gym? - Actions that didn’t stop in the past
Ejemplo: Seguía hablando aunque nadie escuchaba. – He kept talking even though no one was listening. - To show persistence or determination
Ejemplo: Sigue luchando por sus sueños. – He keeps fighting for his dreams.
🔑 Quick Comparison Table
Situation | Use This Verb Phrase | Example |
---|---|---|
Quitting or stopping something | dejar de + infinitive | Dejé de usar redes sociales. |
Doing something again | volver a + infinitive | Volvimos a salir juntos. |
Continuing or still doing something | seguir + gerund | Sigo trabajando en mi proyecto. |
Each of these verb phrases connects your ideas to time—past, present, or future—making your Spanish sound much more natural.
Conjugation Rules for ‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’
To use ‘dejar de’, ‘volver a’, and ‘seguir’ correctly, you need to know how to conjugate them in different tenses. These verbs work just like regular verbs (mostly), but since you’re combining them with another verb, it’s important to get the structure right.
Here’s how to conjugate each of them in the most common tenses: present, past, and future.
✅ 1. Dejar de + Infinitive
“Dejar” is a regular -ar verb, so it’s easy to conjugate.
📅 Present Tense – “I stop / am stopping”
Subject | Conjugation | Example |
---|---|---|
Yo | dejo de | Yo dejo de comer pan. (I stop eating bread.) |
Tú | dejas de | Tú dejas de hablar. (You stop talking.) |
Él/Ella | deja de | Él deja de correr. (He stops running.) |
Nosotros | dejamos de | Nosotros dejamos de pelear. (We stop fighting.) |
Ellos | dejan de | Ellos dejan de jugar videojuegos. (They stop playing video games.) |
⏳ Past Tense (Preterite) – “I stopped”
| Yo | dejé de | Dejé de estudiar medicina. (I stopped studying medicine.)
| Tú | dejaste de |
| Él/Ella | dejó de |
| Nosotros | dejamos de |
| Ellos | dejaron de |
🔮 Future Tense – “I will stop”
| Yo | dejaré de | Dejaré de procrastinar. (I will stop procrastinating.)
| Tú | dejarás de |
| Él/Ella | dejará de |
| Nosotros | dejaremos de |
| Ellos | dejarán de |
🔁 2. Volver a + Infinitive
“Volver” is an irregular -er verb. The stem changes from o → ue in the present tense.
📅 Present Tense – “I do again / I return to”
| Yo | vuelvo a | Vuelvo a intentar. (I try again.)
| Tú | vuelves a |
| Él/Ella | vuelve a |
| Nosotros | volvemos a |
| Ellos | vuelven a |
⏳ Past Tense (Preterite) – “I did again”
| Yo | volví a | Volví a correr. (I ran again.)
| Tú | volviste a |
| Él/Ella | volvió a |
| Nosotros | volvimos a |
| Ellos | volvieron a |
🔮 Future Tense – “I will do again”
| Yo | volveré a | Volveré a llamarte. (I will call you again.)
| Tú | volverás a |
| Él/Ella | volverá a |
| Nosotros | volveremos a |
| Ellos | volverán a |
🔄 3. Seguir + Gerund (-ando / -iendo)
“Seguir” is an e → i stem-changing verb in the present tense.
📅 Present Tense – “I keep doing / I am still doing”
| Yo | sigo | Sigo estudiando. (I’m still studying.)
| Tú | sigues |
| Él/Ella | sigue |
| Nosotros | seguimos |
| Ellos | siguen |
⏳ Past Tense (Imperfect) – “I was still doing”
| Yo | seguía | Seguía trabajando hasta tarde. (I was still working late.)
| Tú | seguías |
| Él/Ella | seguía |
| Nosotros | seguíamos |
| Ellos | seguían |
🔮 Future Tense – “I will still be doing”
| Yo | seguiré | Seguiré estudiando mañana. (I’ll keep studying tomorrow.)
| Tú | seguirás |
| Él/Ella | seguirá |
| Nosotros | seguiremos |
| Ellos | seguirán |
🧠 Tip to Remember
- Use infinitives after dejar de and volver a
(Ex: dejar de fumar, volver a leer) - Use the gerund (-ando/-iendo) after seguir
(Ex: seguir caminando, seguir aprendiendo)
‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’ Grammar Rules You Need to Know
Understanding how these verb phrases work in Spanish is key to using them correctly. Even though they’re commonly used in casual conversation, they follow very specific grammar rules. Let’s break these rules down in a way that’s easy to remember and apply—whether you’re writing or speaking Spanish.
✅ Rule #1: Use the Right Verb Form + Verb Structure
Each of the three expressions follows a unique structure:
Verb Phrase | Structure You Must Follow | Example in Spanish | English Translation |
---|---|---|---|
dejar de | dejar de + infinitive | Dejé de comer azúcar. | I stopped eating sugar. |
volver a | volver a + infinitive | Volvimos a bailar. | We danced again. |
seguir | seguir + gerund | Sigo estudiando español. | I’m still studying Spanish. |
✅ Rule #2: No Article or Preposition Before the Second Verb
Don’t use “el”, “la”, or “de” before the second verb. The structure should be clean and direct, like:
- ❌ Dejé de la fumar.
✅ Dejé de fumar. - ❌ Volví a de correr.
✅ Volví a correr. - ❌ Sigo de leer.
✅ Sigo leyendo.
✅ Rule #3: Follow Gender and Number Only for the Subject
These verb phrases do not change based on the gender of the action or object—only the subject needs to match the verb conjugation:
- Ella deja de hablar. (She stops talking.)
- Ellos vuelven a entrenar. (They train again.)
- Nosotros seguimos trabajando. (We keep working.)
✅ Rule #4: You Can Use These in Any Tense
These verb phrases work with any verb tense—present, past, future, or even subjunctive. Here’s how:
- Present: Sigo leyendo cada noche. – I keep reading every night.
- Past (preterite): Dejaron de ir al parque. – They stopped going to the park.
- Future: Volveré a llamarte mañana. – I will call you again tomorrow.
- Subjunctive (advanced): Espero que no vuelvas a hacerlo. – I hope you don’t do it again.
✅ Rule #5: You Can Add Time Expressions for Clarity
Adding time words makes your sentences even more natural:
- Dejé de correr hace un mes. – I stopped running a month ago.
- Volvimos a salir el viernes pasado. – We went out again last Friday.
- ¿Sigues estudiando todos los días? – Are you still studying every day?
✅ Rule #6: Negative Sentences Use “No” Before the Conjugated Verb
To make a sentence negative, simply place “no” before the first verb (not the second one!):
- No dejo de pensar en ti. – I can’t stop thinking about you.
- No volvió a llamarme. – He didn’t call me again.
- No seguimos hablando. – We’re no longer talking.
These grammar rules are the foundation of using ‘dejar de’, ‘volver a’, and ‘seguir’ correctly. Practice them a few times, and they’ll soon become second nature.
Important Tips for Using ‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’ Correctly
If you want to speak Spanish with confidence and sound more like a native, mastering ‘dejar de’, ‘volver a’, and ‘seguir’ is a must. These little phrases pack a big punch, but they can also be tricky. Here are some simple but powerful tips to help you use them smoothly in conversations, writing, and beyond.
💡 Tip #1: Don’t Translate Word-for-Word from English
These verb phrases don’t always have direct word-for-word equivalents in English. For example:
- “Seguir comiendo” literally means “to follow eating,” but it actually means “to keep eating.”
- “Volver a estudiar” literally means “to return to study,” but it means “to study again.”
✅ What to do instead: Learn the phrase as a full expression, not just as separate words.
💡 Tip #2: Always Double-Check the Verb Form That Follows
This is one of the most common errors! Make sure you’re using:
- Infinitive with “dejar de” → Dejé de fumar.
- Infinitive with “volver a” → Voy a volver a leer ese libro.
- Gerund with “seguir” → Sigo aprendiendo español.
❌ Wrong: Volví a caminando
✅ Right: Volví a caminar
💡 Tip #3: Pay Attention to Stem Changes in Conjugation
Both “volver” and “seguir” are stem-changing verbs in the present tense.
- Volver → yo vuelvo, tú vuelves
- Seguir → yo sigo, tú sigues
Practice these forms a few times until they feel natural when you say them.
💡 Tip #4: Use with Emotional or Motivational Phrases
These expressions are great when talking about personal growth, change, or persistence:
- Dejé de tener miedo. – I stopped being afraid.
- Volveré a intentarlo. – I’ll try again.
- Sigo creyendo en mí. – I still believe in myself.
They’re perfect for stories, life updates, and goals.
💡 Tip #5: Practice with Real-Life Routines
Use these phrases to talk about your daily habits or life changes. Try writing a few sentences like:
- “I stopped drinking soda.”
- “I’m still learning piano.”
- “I want to start exercising again.”
Translate them into Spanish using the structures you’ve learned:
- Dejé de tomar refrescos.
- Sigo aprendiendo piano.
- Quiero volver a hacer ejercicio.
💡 Tip #6: Combine with Other Verbs for Fluency
Once you’re confident with the basics, use them in longer sentences:
- Después de dejar de trabajar, empecé a viajar.
(After I stopped working, I started traveling.) - Voy a seguir estudiando aunque esté cansado.
(I’m going to keep studying even if I’m tired.)
This will take your Spanish to the next level!
💡 Tip #7: Practice Speaking Out Loud
The more you say these phrases aloud, the easier they’ll feel. Try these quick drills:
- “Yo dejo de…”
- “Tú vuelves a…”
- “Nosotros seguimos…”
Mix and match them with different verbs to create natural phrases in seconds.
Common Mistakes with ‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’ – and How to Fix Them
Even advanced Spanish learners sometimes slip up with ‘dejar de’, ‘volver a’, and ‘seguir’. The good news is, these mistakes are easy to fix once you understand why they happen. Here are the most common errors learners make—and exactly how to avoid them.
❌ Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Verb Form After the Phrase
This is the #1 error students make.
- ❌ Sigo a estudiar español.
✅ Sigo estudiando español. (I’m still studying Spanish.) - ❌ Volvimos a jugando fútbol.
✅ Volvimos a jugar fútbol. (We played soccer again.)
Fix it:
- Always use the infinitive after ‘dejar de’ and ‘volver a’
- Always use the gerund (-ando/-iendo) after ‘seguir’
❌ Mistake 2: Translating Directly from English
Some learners try to translate word for word:
- ❌ I stop to smoke → Paro a fumar
✅ Dejo de fumar → (I stop smoking) - ❌ We keep to talk → Seguimos a hablar
✅ Seguimos hablando → (We keep talking)
Fix it:
Learn these as fixed expressions, not just individual words.
❌ Mistake 3: Forgetting Stem Changes in the Present Tense
Verbs like seguir and volver change their stems in the present tense.
- ❌ Yo volvo a leer
✅ Yo vuelvo a leer (I read again) - ❌ Yo seguo estudiando
✅ Yo sigo estudiando (I keep studying)
Fix it:
- Volver → vuelvo, vuelves, vuelve…
- Seguir → sigo, sigues, sigue…
❌ Mistake 4: Using “de” or “el” Between the Two Verbs
This one’s sneaky and common:
- ❌ Dejé de el fumar
✅ Dejé de fumar - ❌ Volví de correr
✅ Volví a correr
Fix it:
Never add extra words between the two verbs unless absolutely necessary. Keep it direct.
❌ Mistake 5: Misplacing “no” in Negative Sentences
The word “no” must go before the conjugated verb, not in the middle of the phrase.
- ❌ Dejé no de hablar.
✅ No dejé de hablar. (I didn’t stop talking.) - ❌ Seguimos no trabajando.
✅ No seguimos trabajando. (We didn’t keep working.)
Fix it:
Always put “no” before the main verb.
❌ Mistake 6: Forgetting the Verb Phrase Entirely
Sometimes students leave out one of the pieces:
- ❌ Volví estudiar
✅ Volví a estudiar
Fix it:
Always include the full phrase:
- dejar de
- volver a
- seguir + gerund
🧠 Final Reminder
The more you practice, the more natural these phrases will feel. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—but be sure to learn from them. Practice speaking, writing, and listening to these structures in real contexts.
20 Example Sentences Using ‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’ for Better Understanding
Now that you know how ‘dejar de’, ‘volver a’, and ‘seguir’ work, it’s time to see them in real-life, everyday sentences. These examples are designed to help you understand how native speakers naturally use these verb phrases in casual and formal situations.
Let’s break them into groups for clarity:
📌 1–7: Sentences with ‘Dejar de’ (To stop doing something)
- Dejé de comer carne hace dos años.
(I stopped eating meat two years ago.) - ¿Cuándo vas a dejar de fumar?
(When are you going to stop smoking?) - Mi hermana dejó de estudiar medicina.
(My sister stopped studying medicine.) - No dejo de pensar en ti.
(I can’t stop thinking about you.) - Dejamos de ver esa serie porque era aburrida.
(We stopped watching that show because it was boring.) - ¿Por qué dejaste de hablar con Ana?
(Why did you stop talking to Ana?) - Ellos dejaron de usar redes sociales.
(They stopped using social media.)
🔁 8–14: Sentences with ‘Volver a’ (To do something again)
- Volví a ver esa película anoche.
(I watched that movie again last night.) - Vamos a volver a intentarlo.
(We’re going to try again.) - ¿Volviste a llamar al doctor?
(Did you call the doctor again?) - Ella volvió a ganar el premio.
(She won the prize again.) - Volveremos a visitar España el próximo año.
(We’ll visit Spain again next year.) - No quiero volver a pasar por eso.
(I don’t want to go through that again.) - ¿Puedes volver a explicarlo, por favor?
(Can you explain it again, please?)
🔄 15–20: Sentences with ‘Seguir’ (To continue or still be doing something)
- Sigo aprendiendo español todos los días.
(I keep learning Spanish every day.) - ¿Tú sigues trabajando en esa empresa?
(Are you still working at that company?) - Seguimos esperando la respuesta.
(We’re still waiting for the answer.) - Mi perro sigue durmiendo en mi cama.
(My dog still sleeps in my bed.) - Los niños siguen jugando afuera.
(The kids keep playing outside.) - Aunque fallé, sigo intentándolo.
(Even though I failed, I keep trying.)
Reading and repeating these example sentences out loud will help you remember the structure and usage of these powerful phrases. You can even write your own sentences using similar patterns!
‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’ Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise: Test Your Knowledge
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of dejar de + infinitive, volver a + infinitive, or seguir + gerund.
- Ella ________ (dejar) de fumar hace un año.
- Nosotros ________ (volver) a estudiar para el examen.
- Yo ________ (seguir) trabajando en el mismo proyecto.
- ¿Tú ________ (dejar) de jugar al fútbol?
- Mis amigos ________ (volver) a viajar a México.
- Él ________ (seguir) aprendiendo a tocar la guitarra.
- Nosotros no ________ (dejar) de practicar español.
- ¿Por qué no ________ (volver) a llamar a tu mamá?
- Vosotros ________ (seguir) viendo esa serie?
- María ________ (dejar) de comer dulces.
- Yo ________ (volver) a leer ese libro porque me gustó.
- Ellos ________ (seguir) corriendo todas las mañanas.
- Tú no ________ (dejar) de pensar en el problema.
- Nosotros ________ (volver) a salir esta noche.
- Ella ________ (seguir) trabajando en su proyecto final.
- ¿Usted ________ (dejar) de usar el teléfono tanto?
- Ellos ________ (volver) a invitar a sus amigos a la fiesta.
- Yo ________ (seguir) estudiando para mejorar mi español.
- ¿Vosotros ________ (dejar) de ir al gimnasio?
- Él ________ (volver) a escribir cartas a sus abuelos.
Check Your Answers for the ‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’ Exercise
- Ella dejó de fumar hace un año.
(She stopped smoking a year ago.) - Nosotros volvimos a estudiar para el examen.
(We studied again for the exam.) - Yo sigo trabajando en el mismo proyecto.
(I’m still working on the same project.) - ¿Tú dejaste de jugar al fútbol?
(Did you stop playing soccer?) - Mis amigos volvieron a viajar a México.
(My friends traveled to Mexico again.) - Él sigue aprendiendo a tocar la guitarra.
(He keeps learning to play the guitar.) - Nosotros no dejamos de practicar español.
(We don’t stop practicing Spanish.) - ¿Por qué no vuelves a llamar a tu mamá?
(Why don’t you call your mom again?) - ¿Vosotros seguís viendo esa serie?
(Are you all still watching that series?) - María dejó de comer dulces.
(Maria stopped eating sweets.) - Yo volví a leer ese libro porque me gustó.
(I read that book again because I liked it.) - Ellos siguen corriendo todas las mañanas.
(They keep running every morning.) - Tú no dejas de pensar en el problema.
(You can’t stop thinking about the problem.) - Nosotros volvemos a salir esta noche.
(We’re going out again tonight.) - Ella sigue trabajando en su proyecto final.
(She’s still working on her final project.) - ¿Usted deja de usar el teléfono tanto?
(Do you stop using the phone so much?) - Ellos vuelven a invitar a sus amigos a la fiesta.
(They invite their friends to the party again.) - Yo sigo estudiando para mejorar mi español.
(I keep studying to improve my Spanish.) - ¿Vosotros dejasteis de ir al gimnasio?
(Did you all stop going to the gym?) - Él volvió a escribir cartas a sus abuelos.
(He wrote letters to his grandparents again.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About ‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’
Here are some of the most common questions learners ask about these tricky but essential Spanish verb phrases:
❓ 1. Can I use ‘seguir’ with an infinitive instead of a gerund?
No. ‘Seguir’ is always followed by a gerund (the -ando or -iendo form). For example:
- Correct: Sigo estudiando. (I keep studying.)
- Incorrect: Sigo estudiar.
❓ 2. Is ‘volver a’ the same as ‘otra vez’?
They both mean “again,” but ‘volver a’ is used specifically with verbs to indicate repeating an action, while ‘otra vez’ is an adverb and can be placed elsewhere in the sentence.
- Volví a estudiar. (I studied again.)
- Estudié otra vez. (I studied again.)
Both are correct, but volver a links directly with the verb.
❓ 3. Can I use ‘dejar de’ to mean “to leave something behind”?
No. ‘Dejar de’ means “to stop doing something,” not “to leave something behind.” For example:
- Dejé de fumar = I stopped smoking.
- Dejé mi libro en casa = I left my book at home.
They’re different verbs and meanings.
❓ 4. Can I use ‘seguir’ in the past tense?
Yes! You can conjugate ‘seguir’ in the past, but remember to keep the gerund form after it.
- Seguí estudiando. (I kept studying.)
- Seguimos hablando. (We kept talking.)
❓ 5. How do I make negative sentences with these phrases?
Place “no” before the conjugated verb:
- No dejo de pensar. (I don’t stop thinking.)
- No vuelvo a llamar. (I don’t call again.)
- No sigo trabajando. (I don’t keep working.)
❓ 6. Can I use these phrases with reflexive verbs?
Yes! Just follow the same rules and place the reflexive pronoun before the conjugated verb:
- Dejé de quejarme. (I stopped complaining.)
- Volvió a levantarse temprano. (He got up early again.)
- Sigo sintiéndome bien. (I still feel good.)
Key Takeaways: ‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’ Summary and Important Points
- ‘Dejar de + infinitive’ means to stop doing something.
Example: Dejé de fumar. (I stopped smoking.) - ‘Volver a + infinitive’ means to do something again or repeat an action.
Example: Volví a estudiar. (I studied again.) - ‘Seguir + gerund (-ando/-iendo)’ means to keep doing something or continue an action.
Example: Sigo aprendiendo español. (I keep learning Spanish.) - Always use the infinitive after ‘dejar de’ and ‘volver a’.
Incorrect: Dejé de fumando.
Correct: Dejé de fumar. - Always use the gerund after ‘seguir’.
Incorrect: Sigo estudiar.
Correct: Sigo estudiando. - Remember the stem changes in present tense:
- Volver → vuelvo, vuelves, vuelve…
- Seguir → sigo, sigues, sigue…
- Place “no” before the conjugated verb to make negatives:
No dejo de pensar. (I don’t stop thinking.) - These phrases are used a lot in everyday conversation to talk about habits, repeated actions, or ongoing processes.
- Practice speaking, writing, and listening with these phrases to build natural fluency.
Conclusion: Mastering ‘Dejar de’, ‘Volver a’, and ‘Seguir’ to Boost Your Spanish Skills
Understanding how to use ‘dejar de’, ‘volver a’, and ‘seguir’ is a game-changer for anyone learning Spanish. These versatile verb phrases help you express stopping actions, repeating activities, and continuing habits — essential skills for sounding natural and fluent.
With practice, you’ll find these phrases popping up everywhere: in conversations, books, music, and daily life. Keep practicing with real examples, and soon you’ll use them effortlessly.
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