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C1

Verbs of change and advanced periphrases

Ponerse, volverse, hacerse, quedarse, llegar a ser; ir + gerund, andar + gerund.

Verbs of change («become», «get»)

VerbKind of changeExample
ponerse + adj.temporary, sudden (mood, colour)Se puso rojo / nervioso. = He went red / got nervous.
volverse + adj.deep change of characterSe volvió muy egoísta. = He became very selfish.
hacerse + noun / adj.voluntary, through effortSe hizo médico / rico.
quedarse + adj.resulting state, often negativeSe quedó ciego / sorprendido. = He went blind.
llegar a serreaching a position after a processLlegó a ser presidente.
convertirse entransformationSe convirtió en un problema. = It turned into a problem.

Periphrases with the gerund

  • ir + ger.: gradual progress: Va mejorando poco a poco. = It's gradually getting better.
  • andar + ger.: repeated, often negative: Anda diciendo mentiras. = He goes around telling lies.
  • venir + ger.: from the past up to now: Vengo diciéndolo desde hace años. = I've been saying it for years.
  • acabar + ger.: final outcome: Acabó aceptando. = He ended up accepting.
  • Cuando le dieron la noticia, se quedó sin palabras.
    When they gave him the news, he was left speechless.
  • El pueblo se ha ido vaciando con los años.
    The village has gradually emptied over the years.

Test yourself

  1. Fill in: Al verla, se ___ nervioso.
    Show answer
    puso
  2. Fill in: Estudió mucho y se ___ abogado.
    Show answer
    hizo
  3. Translate: «He ended up resigning.» (acabar + dimitir)
    Show answer
    Acabó dimitiendo.
  4. Fill in: La situación se ___ en una crisis.
    Show answer
    convirtió