Tengo que estudiar para el examen.
English: I have to study for the exam.
- Language
- Spanish
- Level
- B2
- Unit
- Perífrasis verbales y voz pasiva
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
In Spanish, 'perífrasis verbales' are combinations of two or more verbs that express ideas like obligation, possibility, or probability. These constructions help you talk about what must be done, what might happen, or what is likely.
When to use it
Use these forms to talk about duties (what someone has to do), possibilities (what someone can do), and probabilities (what is likely to happen) in Spanish. They help you express necessity, permission, and uncertainty.
Key forms
- tener que + infinitivo
- deber + infinitivo
- hay que + infinitivo
- poder + infinitivo
- deber de + infinitivo
- puede que + subjuntivo
Examples
Hay que limpiar la casa hoy.
English: One must clean the house today.
Puede que llegue tarde.
English: He/She might arrive late.
Debo llamar a mi madre.
English: I must call my mother.
Puedo salir si termino mi trabajo.
English: I can go out if I finish my work.
Tips
- Remember that 'deber' (without 'de') means obligation, but 'deber de' suggests probability.
- 'Hay que' is used for general obligations, not for a specific person.
- After these expressions, use the infinitive (except with 'puede que', which needs the subjunctive).
Exceptions and edge cases
- 'Puede que' is always followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood, not the infinitive.