Question 1

Why is there an "a" between "empieza" and "analizar"?

Accepted Answer

In Spanish, when you want to say you "start doing something", you use the verb empezar (to start) followed by the preposition a, and then the infinitive of the action verb. This is a set pattern, so you must always include the a before the second verb!

Question 2

The translation says "analyzing", but "analizar" means "to analyze". Why don't we use the Spanish "-ing" form here?

Accepted Answer

English often uses the "-ing" form after verbs like "start" (starts analyzing). However, in Spanish, the structure empezar a is always followed by an infinitive (like analizar). You cannot use the Spanish "-ing" form (the gerund, like analizando) with this specific phrase.

Question 3

Why is it spelled empieza instead of "empeza"?

Accepted Answer

Empezar is a stem-changing verb in the present tense. For most subjects, including la jefa (she), the e in the stem changes to ie. That is why it becomes empieza. It only keeps the original e for the "we" and "you all" (nosotros, vosotros) forms.

Question 4

Can I use "la jefe" for a female boss, or does it have to be la jefa?

Accepted Answer

You must use la jefa. While some Spanish nouns ending in -e are the same for both men and women (like el/la estudiante), the word for boss has distinct masculine and feminine forms: el jefe for a male boss and la jefa for a female boss.

La jefa empieza a analizar el presupuesto hoy.

Breakdown of La jefa empieza a analizar el presupuesto hoy.

Questions & Answers about La jefa empieza a analizar el presupuesto hoy.

Learn La jefa empieza a analizar el presupuesto hoy and more in Spanish