Spanish verbs without preposition
As I said above some Spanish verbs are not followed by a preposition at all, even though their English equivalents always require one before a dependent or related element.
1-Agradecer-to thank for
Imagine that you recently moved to another city and you are having a rough time getting settled, but during the weekend you got the visit of your friends, when you are saying goodbyes you will add.
Os agradezco vuestra visita–I thank you guys for your visit
2-Aprovechar-to take advantage of
Imagine one your friends is looking for a promotion, and one of the bosses at his company resigned, there is a position open but your friend is now having second thoughts, you will encourage him saying
Esto es lo que estabas esperando, es una señal, espero que aproveches la oportunidad-This is what you were waiting for, it is a sign, I hope you take advantage of the opportunity
3-Buscar-To look for
Ok same friend that above, he did not followed your advice and despite he wanted a change we did not apply for the manager position, so now we definitely wants to change jobs, he is fed up and he will complain to you probably saying
Necesito buscar un nuevo trabajo-I need to look for a new job
#watchout verbs #1 and #3 do not go with preposition when they are followed by direct objects, if they are followed by indirect object you will need the preposition “a”
Example-
#1-Agradecí a Marcos su visita–I thank Marcos for his visit
#3-Busqué a Pablo toda la noche pero no lo ví– I looked for Pablo the whole night but I did not see him
4-
#1-Conseguir-to succeed in
If you are planning to go out for dinner with friends this weekend coming and you want to go to a busy restaurant but you think you will be busy you could ask the person who is in charge of the booking to double checked
¿Conseguiste reservar una mesa?- Did you succeed in booking a table?
#normally the translation of conseguir is manage in this situations, and that would not use a reposition in English either.
#2-Lograr-to succeed in
If my sister has been dreaming since she was a kid about travelling the word and she finally managed to do it, I will encourage everyone to follow their dreams using my sister as an example
Mi hermana logró realizar sus sueños-My sister succeed in realizing her dreams.
5-Escuchar-to listen to
If someone come to your flat asking for your flatmate you could guide them saying
María está en su habitación escuchando música–María is in her room listening to music.
6-Esperar-to wait for
If you have like me, that is always, or most of the times late, you could teach them a lesson next time they are not on time and when they asked why you would say
Te esperé media hora y me fui- I waited for you half an hour and then I left.
7-Mirar-To look/watch at
If you are in a gallery and you see a lot of people looking at something you will think…
Están el cuadro–They are looking at the painting
#note when mirar is translated as “watch” or “behold” the Spanish and the English constructions are the same grammar ways- Miramos la tele todas las noches–we watch tv every night
8-Pagar-to pay for
If you were planning a weekend away but you did not have your card when you were paying for the train tickets, and a friend kindly paid for yours, you will explain
Mario pagó por mi billete y tengo que devolver el dinero–Mario paid for my ticket and I need to give him the money back.
However that change if we introduce the amount paid, then we will need a preposition. So if you say the price Mario paid for your ticket that would change to
Mario pagó 30 euros por mi billete-Mario paid 30 euros for my ticket
9-Pedir-to ask for
The most common place to use that is in a restaurant, and if you are hungry and the waiter does not come quick enough you would probably say impatiently
Voy a pedir el menu, ¡ me muero de hambre!–I am going to ask for the menu, I am starving!
And those my friend are 9 verbs, among many others that they do not need a preposition.
I hope you found this blog really useful and you learnt something new.
Now it is your turn, please if you like the blog and share it with a fellow learner that can take advantage of it, let’s spread the Spanish word around.
Also before saying farewells some…actionable! Please leave a comment below using one of the verbs above, and also I would love to hear from you, do you know any other verbs which does not use preposition? Let us know, I am sure it will help others!
As well if you have any other questions you know I am here for you.
Have a good one! And I will write to you soon
