Acabar de + [infinitive] vs Present Perfect

David C.A1Kwiziq community member

Acabar de + [infinitive] vs Present Perfect

Hello,

It says verbal structure. Does this mean that this is only used in spoken Spanish?

Also, I thought that we used the present perfect for actions that have just happened?

This question relates to:Spanish lesson "Acabar de + [infinitive] = to have just done / just did something in Spanish (perífrasis verbal)"

Asked 3 years ago

Like0Answer3

Marsha C.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

1] written and spoken verbal structure

2] this structure is specifically used for something that has just happened i.e to express an immediate action. For example - I have just answered your questions!

Like13 years ago

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

"Verbal" doesn't mean "spoken" in this context, it means that it contains a verb.

Like03 years ago

InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola David

With "verbal" here we refer to its grammatical meaning "containing a verb" (verbal structure = a structure containing a verb).

When we use this structure "acabar de + infinitive", in Spanish we don't use the perfect tense.

Saludos

Like13 years ago

David C. asked: