Verbs are essential elements if we talk about forming sentences. Basically, without them, we would not be able to speak.

It is true that in Spanish, verbs are quite complicated. Well, I am talking about all of those different tenses and the long list of irregular verbs. So, do you remember how Spaniards like to overcomplicate things? I guess that it is time to make things a bit harder. How? By adding prepositions in the mix.

These are the Spanish prepositions:

a
ante
bajo
cabe
con
contra
de
desde
en
entre
hacia
hasta
para
por
según
sin
so
sobre
tras

Spanish verbs with prepositions are the equivalent of English phrasal verbs. Let’s take a look.

There are many verbs that require a preposition. We are going to talk about the most common ones. First, let’s take a look at the 5 prepositions that you should know:

1. En (= in)
2. Con (= with)
3. A (= to)
4. Por (= for)
5. De (= of/from)

Verbs with en

The Spanish verbs with prepositions that use the preposition en can be followed either objects or infinitives. Let’s take a look at the 3 most common verbs that are followed by this preposition.

1. Confiar en (= to trust to/ to rely on)

When followed by an infinitive, confiar en means “to be confindent in”. When it is followed by an object, it means “to trust”.

2. Dudar en (=to hesitate to)

It is followed by an infinitive.

3. hacer bien en (= to be right to/ in doing something)

It can either be followed by an infinitive or an object.

When followed by an infinitive, it means “you are doing the right thing”. When followed by an object, it means “you are doing good in/for”.

Verbs with con

1.contar con (= to count on something)

It is usually followed by an object.

2. Soñar con (= to dream about)

This structure is usually followed by either an infinitive or an object. It means to dream of or to dream about. However, when followed by an infinitive, it can also be translated as “to hope to”.

3. comenzar con (= to begin by/ with)

It is usually followed by an object.

Verbs with a

The verbs that are followed by the preposition a, are a special type of verbs. Why? Because in Spanish, this grammar rule is known as the personal a. This means that the preposition a is placed before the object.

1.acercarse a (= to approach)

2. ayudar a (= to help)
3. resistirse a (=to resist)

Verbs with por

1.esforzarse por (= to struggle to/ to do your best)

This structure is usually followed by an infinitive.

2. comenzar por (= to begin with)

This structure is usually followed by either an infinitive or an object.

3. estar por (= to be in favor of)

This structure is usually followed by either an infinitive or an object. With an infinitive, this structure means to consider doing something. When it is followed by an object, it is used to show preferences.

Verbs with de

1. Acordarse de (=to remember to)

This structure is usually followed by an infinitive, however, you can also use it with objects too. The meaning stays the same.

2. Preocuparse de (= to be worried about)

This structure is usually followed by either an infinitive or an object.

3. Dejar de (=to give up/ to stop)

This structure is usually followed by an infinitive.

Now that you now these things, your Spanish language skills have already improved.