Using llevar + participio to express the completion of an action so far Flashcards
llevar followed by a past participle
to express the completion of an action.
The effect of using this verbal structure is similar to using haber + infinitive, however using llevar gives a nuance of accumulation or repetition, and implies that the action will continue in the future.
[So far] we’ve done 6 kilometres. We will continue to walk this afternoon.
Llevamos recorridos 6 kilómetros. Esta tarde seguiremos caminando.
[Until then] I had read at least 50 pages and all of a sudden I lost the book.
Llevaba leídas al menos 50 páginas y de repente perdí el libro.
This author has [had] published 5 short novels [so far].
Este autor lleva publicadas 5 novelas cortas.
Have you saved [so far] 150 euros?
¿Llevas ahorrados 150 euros?
by using llevar.
we get the sense of a possible continuation in the future,
If we had used the perfect tense with haber
that possible continuation wouldn’t be implied.
I had read at least 50 pages and all of a sudden I lost the book.)
(completed action, no sense of possible continuation)
Había leído al menos 50 páginas y de repente perdí el libro.
the participle agrees in gender and number with the object:
recorridos, kilómetros
leídas, páginas
publicadas, novelas
ahorrados, euros
Sometimes when using this structure, the meaning is a bit more literal and used to express how something is presented or what something includes.
They are describing how something is presented (camisa horrorosa) or what something includes (descuento, sensor). The participle is still agreeing with the object.
Madam, that price includes a 10 percent discount.
Señora, ese precio lleva incluido un 10 por ciento de descuento.
The device is fitted with a sensor.
El dispositivo lleva incorporado un sensor.
Yesterday Andrés was wearing a horrible flowery shirt.
Ayer Andrés llevaba puesta una camisa de flores horrorosa.
