Using poner/poner(se) + a + infinitive = to start to carry out an action Flashcards

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1
Q

The construction poner(se) a + infinitivo…

A

is used to mean to begin/start doing [something], to get something/someone to do [something], to set about doing [something] or to get on with [something].

ponerse a + infinitivo suggests the beginning of an activity at a specific moment, usually as an unexpected action.

It is also commonly used to talk about the weather in an impersonal way, as an unexpected action:

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2
Q

Shall I begin to study right now?

A

¿Me pongo a estudiar ahora mismo?

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3
Q

The children began to cry and we left.

A

Los niños se pusieron a llorar y nos fuimos.

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4
Q

We are going to start singing in five minutes.

A

Nosotros nos vamos a poner a cantar en cinco minutos.

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5
Q

It suddenly started to rain.

A

De repente se puso a llover.

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6
Q

It has started to snow!

A

¡Se ha puesto a nevar!

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7
Q

Put your shirt out to dry!

A

¡Pon tu camisa a secar!

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8
Q

My mother puts the laundry on. [lit: puts the dirty laundry to wash]

A

Mi madre pone la ropa sucia a lavar.

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9
Q

The farmers will put the tractors to harvest.

A

Los agricultores pondrán los tractores a cosechar.

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10
Q

Get the children to watch TV.

A

Pon a los niños a ver la televisión.

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