Phase Periphrases: dejar de, empezar a, ponerse a + infinitive

Spanish: Perífrasis de fase: dejar de, empezar a, ponerse a + infinitivo

Level: B2 Upper-Intermediate

Category: periphrases

Explanation

Phase verbal periphrases express the moment or stage of an action: its beginning, its interruption, or the manner in which it starts. At this B2 level we master three of the most frequent ones. "Empezar a + infinitive" (also "comenzar a + infinitive") marks the start of an action in a neutral way: "Empecé a estudiar español hace dos años" (I started studying Spanish two years ago). It is the standard way to indicate that something begins. "Ponerse a + infinitive" also indicates the start of an action, but it adds a nuance of spontaneity, sudden decision, or abrupt effort. "Empezó a llover" (it started to rain, neutral) is not the same as "Se puso a llover" (it suddenly began to rain, with intensity). "Ponerse a" usually implies a subject who actively gets involved: "Después de comer, me puse a trabajar" (After eating, I got down to working). "Dejar de + infinitive" expresses the interruption or cessation of an action previously performed: "Dejé de fumar el año pasado" (I quit smoking last year). It is crucial not to misread its negative form: "no dejar de + infinitive" means "to not stop / to keep on," i.e., doing something continuously or without rest: "No dejaba de llorar" (he/she kept crying nonstop). These periphrases are highly productive in spoken and written Spanish. Mastering the nuance between "empezar a" (neutral) and "ponerse a" (sudden/voluntary), as well as the double reading of "dejar de" depending on whether it is affirmative or negative, is key to expressing yourself naturally in everyday situations such as ordering at a café, checking into a hotel, or shopping at the market.

Examples

• Empecé a leer la carta para elegir un postre. - I started reading the menu to choose a dessert.
• Cuando llegó el camarero, me puse a pedir sin pensarlo. - When the waiter arrived, I just started ordering without thinking.
• He dejado de tomar azúcar, así que un café solo, por favor. - I have stopped taking sugar, so a black coffee, please.
• En cuanto entré en la habitación, me puse a deshacer la maleta. - As soon as I entered the room, I got down to unpacking.
• El aire acondicionado dejó de funcionar anoche. - The air conditioning stopped working last night.