Starting Actions with Empezar a
To describe when you begin doing something, use the verb empezar (to start) followed by the preposition a and an infinitive.
Keep in mind that empezar is a stem-changing verb (e to ie in most present tense forms, e.g., yo empiezo, tú empiezas, ella empieza).
| When do you start working on the task? | ¿Cuándo empiezas a trabajar en la tarea? |
| The boss starts analyzing the budget today. | La jefa empieza a analizar el presupuesto hoy. |
Finishing Actions with Terminar de
To talk about finishing an action, use the regular verb terminar (to finish) followed by the preposition de and an infinitive.
| He never finishes organizing the tasks. | Él nunca termina de organizar las tareas. |
| They will finish reviewing the project later. | Ellos terminan de revisar el proyecto luego. |
Combining Verbs
You can combine these structures with other verbs you know. For example, use them in their infinitive form after a verb like querer (to want), or in the present continuous (estamos empezando) to emphasize that an action is starting right now.
| The colleague wants to start reviewing the client's mail. | El compañero quiere empezar a revisar el correo del cliente. |
| We are starting to print the presentation now. | Estamos empezando a imprimir la presentación ahora. |
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