Using Two Verbs Together Tutorial

Developing Effective Teams

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Tutorial

what's covered

In this lesson, you will learn how to use two verbs together in a sentence according to Spanish grammar rules. Specifically, this lesson will cover:

Al Usar Dos Verbos Juntos (Using Two Verbs Together)
1. Making a Request

1. Al Usar Dos Verbos Juntos (Using Two Verbs Together)

Your Spanish will sound much more advanced once you are able to combine two verbs. You will also drastically increase the number of things you are able to communicate. Consider how you naturally combine verbs in English.

EXAMPLE

You need to fill out this form. You should take this medicine with water. Can you return at 4:00?

When you combine two verbs in Spanish, simply conjugate (change) the first verb and leave the second verb in the infinitive. The first verb will almost always be one of the following:

Deber
Necesitar
Poder
Querer
Tener

These verbs will help you obtain important information from your patients and will allow you to politely tell them what to do.

Verb	Example Sentence	English Translation
deber	Usted debe tomar la medicina tres veces cada día.	You should take the medicine three times a (each) day
necesitar	Usted necesita tomar la medicina con agua.	You need to take the medicine with water.
poder	¿Puede usted volver a las cuatro?	Can you return at four?
querer	Yo quiero explicar a usted esta medicina.	I want to explain to you this medicine.
tener	Yo tengo que llamar a la doctora.	I have to call the doctor.

Note that when using the verb "tener" with another verb, you must put que (pronounced "kay") after "tener."

1a. Making a Request

The most polite way of making a request in Spanish is to use the word pudiera, which means could you (please).

EXAMPLE

"¿Pudiera llenar esta forma?" means "Could you please sign this form?"

You can also say favor de, which literally translates to favor of. Simply put an infinitive after it.

EXAMPLE

"¿Favor de llenar esta forma?" also means "Could you please fill out this form?"

You can also use some very general expressions to express similar sentiments. Again, just add an infinitive.

Expression	Example Sentence	English Translation
es necesario	Es necesario tomar toda la medicina.	It is necessary to take all of the medicine.
es importante	Es importante dormir bien.	It is important to sleep well.
es posible	¿Es posible caminar un poco?	Is it possible to walk around a little?

summary

In this lesson, you learned that you can use two verbs together in Spanish by conjugating the first verb and leaving the second verb in the infinitive. When making a request, you can use the word "pudiera" before the infinitive verb, which is the most polite way of asking someone to do something. There are also some general expressions you can use with similar meanings.

¡Buena suerte!

Source: This content has been adapted from "Pharmacy Spanish" by Stephanie Langston.

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Using Two Verbs Together

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Developing Effective Teams

1. Al Usar Dos Verbos Juntos (Using Two Verbs Together)