Spanish Verbs Requiring Prepositions: Mastering Usage

Understanding which Spanish verbs require prepositions and which prepositions they take is crucial for fluency and accuracy. Many Spanish verbs need a specific preposition to connect them to their object, and using the wrong preposition or omitting it altogether can significantly alter the meaning or result in grammatically incorrect sentences.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to these verbs, offering definitions, examples, and practice exercises to help learners of all levels master this challenging aspect of Spanish grammar.

Introduction
Definition of Verbs Requiring Prepositions
Structural Breakdown
Common Prepositions Used
Categories of Verbs Requiring Prepositions
Examples of Verbs Requiring Prepositions
Usage Rules and Exceptions
Common Mistakes
Practice Exercises
Advanced Topics
- Pronominal Verbs and Prepositions
- Idiomatic Expressions
FAQ
Conclusion

Definition of Verbs Requiring Prepositions

In Spanish, some verbs require a specific preposition to connect to a noun or pronoun that functions as their object. These prepositions are not arbitrary; they are an integral part of the verb’s meaning and grammatical structure.

Unlike English, where the preposition might seem optional, in Spanish, its presence is often mandatory for the sentence to be grammatically correct and convey the intended meaning. These verbs are sometimes called “verbos de régimen” or “verbs with fixed prepositions.” Understanding which verbs require prepositions and which prepositions they take is crucial for constructing grammatically accurate and natural-sounding Spanish sentences.

The function of these prepositions is to establish a specific relationship between the verb and its object. This relationship can indicate direction, purpose, cause, manner, or other nuances of meaning. The preposition acts as a bridge, linking the verb to the element it governs, and contributing to the overall sense of the sentence. For example, the verb pensar (to think) requires the preposition en when followed by the topic being thought about (pensar en algo – to think about something). Omitting the en would make the sentence incorrect.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of a sentence with a verb requiring a preposition typically follows this pattern:

Subject + Verb + Preposition + Object

For example:

Yo pienso en mi futuro. (I think about my future.)

Here, yo is the subject, pienso is the verb (pensar conjugated), en is the required preposition, and mi futuro is the object. The preposition en is essential for connecting the verb pensar to the object mi futuro in this context.

Another crucial point is that when the object is a person, the preposition a is often used, especially after verbs like ayudar (to help) or ver (to see). This is called the personal a.

Yo ayudo a mi madre. (I help my mother.)

In this case, a is not directly related to the verb ayudar in the same way as en is to pensar; instead, it’s a grammatical marker indicating that the object is a person.

Common Prepositions Used

Several prepositions are commonly used with Spanish verbs. Here are some of the most frequent:

a: to, at, for
de: of, from, about
en: in, on, at
con: with
por: for, by, through
para: for, to, in order to

Each preposition carries its own range of meanings, and the specific meaning in a given sentence depends on the verb it accompanies. For example, a can indicate direction (ir a – to go to) or be the personal a (ayudar a – to help someone). De often indicates origin or possession (venir de – to come from; el libro de Juan – Juan’s book), but it can also be required by certain verbs (acordarse de – to remember).

Categories of Verbs Requiring Prepositions

Verbs that require prepositions can be grouped into several categories based on their meaning:

Verbs of Motion

These verbs describe movement and often require prepositions to indicate direction or destination.

Verbs of Thinking and Opinion

These verbs relate to mental processes and often use prepositions to specify the subject of thought or opinion.

Verbs of Emotion

These verbs express feelings and often require prepositions to indicate the cause or object of the emotion.

Verbs of Communication

These verbs involve speaking or writing and often use prepositions to specify the recipient or topic of communication.

Verbs of Dependence

These verbs indicate reliance or reliance on something or someone and require prepositions to specify what is being relied upon.

Examples of Verbs Requiring Prepositions

Here are some common Spanish verbs that require prepositions, along with examples of their usage:

Pensar en (To Think About)

The verb pensar means “to think.” When you want to say “to think about” something or someone, you must use the preposition en.

Here is a table with many examples of “Pensar en”:

Spanish	English
Pienso en ti.	I think about you.
Ella piensa en sus vacaciones.	She thinks about her vacation.
Siempre pienso en mi familia.	I always think about my family.
¿En qué piensas?	What are you thinking about?
No pienso en el trabajo los fines de semana.	I don’t think about work on the weekends.
Pensamos en comprar una casa nueva.	We are thinking about buying a new house.
¿Piensas en mudarte?	Are you thinking about moving?
El niño piensa en los juguetes.	The boy thinks about the toys.
Pienso en el futuro.	I think about the future.
Ella piensa en su novio.	She thinks about her boyfriend.
Siempre pienso en mi salud.	I always think about my health.
¿En qué piensas ahora?	What are you thinking about now?
No pienso en los problemas.	I don’t think about the problems.
Pensamos en viajar a Europa.	We are thinking about traveling to Europe.
¿Piensas en estudiar español?	Are you thinking about studying Spanish?
El gato piensa en el ratón.	The cat thinks about the mouse.
Pienso en la posibilidad.	I think about the possibility.
Ella piensa en su examen.	She thinks about her exam.
Siempre pienso en mis amigos.	I always think about my friends.
¿En qué piensas esta noche?	What are you thinking about tonight?
No pienso en el pasado.	I don’t think about the past.
Pensamos en cambiar el coche.	We are thinking about changing the car.
¿Piensas en ir al cine?	Are you thinking about going to the cinema?
El perro piensa en la comida.	The dog thinks about the food.
Pienso en la solución.	I think about the solution.
Ella piensa en su trabajo.	She thinks about her work.

Soñar con (To Dream About)

The verb soñar means “to dream.” To express “to dream about” something or someone, you need to use the preposition con.

Here is a table with examples of “Soñar con”:

Spanish	English
Sueño contigo.	I dream about you.
Ella sueña con viajar por el mundo.	She dreams about traveling around the world.
Siempre sueño con mi infancia.	I always dream about my childhood.
¿Con qué sueñas?	What do you dream about?
No sueño con el trabajo.	I don’t dream about work.
Soñamos con ganar la lotería.	We dream about winning the lottery.
¿Sueñas con ser famoso?	Do you dream about being famous?
El niño sueña con superhéroes.	The boy dreams about superheroes.
Sueño con un futuro mejor.	I dream about a better future.
Ella sueña con su boda.	She dreams about her wedding.
Siempre sueño con mis amigos.	I always dream about my friends.
¿Con qué sueñas esta noche?	What are you dreaming about tonight?
No sueño con problemas.	I don’t dream about problems.
Soñamos con tener una casa grande.	We dream about having a big house.
¿Sueñas con estudiar en el extranjero?	Do you dream about studying abroad?
El gato sueña con ratones.	The cat dreams about mice.
Sueño con la perfección.	I dream about perfection.
Ella sueña con su nuevo trabajo.	She dreams about her new job.
Siempre sueño con el mar.	I always dream about the sea.
¿Con qué sueñas por la noche?	What do you dream about at night?
No sueño con el fracaso.	I don’t dream about failure.
Soñamos con un mundo en paz.	We dream about a world at peace.
¿Sueñas con volar?	Do you dream about flying?
El perro sueña con huesos.	The dog dreams about bones.
Sueño con la libertad.	I dream about freedom.
Ella sueña con su familia.	She dreams about her family.

Acordarse de (To Remember)

Acordarse means “to remember.” The preposition de is required when specifying what you remember.

Here is a table with examples of “Acordarse de”:

Spanish	English
Me acuerdo de ti.	I remember you.
Ella se acuerda de su cumpleaños.	She remembers her birthday.
Siempre me acuerdo de mi abuela.	I always remember my grandmother.
¿Te acuerdas de la película?	Do you remember the movie?
No me acuerdo de su nombre.	I don’t remember his name.
Nos acordamos de nuestras vacaciones.	We remember our vacation.
¿Se acuerdan de la canción?	Do you remember the song?
El niño se acuerda de su juguete.	The boy remembers his toy.
Me acuerdo del día.	I remember the day.
Ella se acuerda de su promesa.	She remembers her promise.
Siempre me acuerdo de mi primer amor.	I always remember my first love.
¿Te acuerdas de la fiesta?	Do you remember the party?
No me acuerdo de dónde lo puse.	I don’t remember where I put it.
Nos acordamos de nuestros amigos.	We remember our friends.
¿Se acuerdan de la historia?	Do you remember the story?
El gato se acuerda del veterinario.	The cat remembers the vet.
Me acuerdo de la cita.	I remember the appointment.
Ella se acuerda de su infancia.	She remembers her childhood.
Siempre me acuerdo de mi perro.	I always remember my dog.
¿Te acuerdas de lo que dije?	Do you remember what I said?
No me acuerdo de la dirección.	I don’t remember the address.
Nos acordamos de nuestros padres.	We remember our parents.
¿Se acuerdan de ese viaje?	Do you remember that trip?
El perro se acuerda del paseo.	The dog remembers the walk.
Me acuerdo de la conversación.	I remember the conversation.
Ella se acuerda de su canción favorita.	She remembers her favorite song.

Depender de (To Depend On)

Depender means “to depend.” The preposition de is essential when specifying what something depends on.

Here is a table with examples of “Depender de”:

Spanish	English
Dependo de ti.	I depend on you.
Ella depende de sus padres.	She depends on her parents.
Todo depende de la situación.	Everything depends on the situation.
¿De qué depende?	What does it depend on?
No dependo de nadie.	I don’t depend on anyone.
Dependemos de la economía.	We depend on the economy.
¿De quién depende?	Who does it depend on?
El éxito depende del esfuerzo.	Success depends on effort.
Dependo del clima.	I depend on the weather.
Ella depende de su trabajo.	She depends on her job.
Todo depende de tu decisión.	Everything depends on your decision.
¿De qué depende el precio?	What does the price depend on?
No dependo del dinero.	I don’t depend on money.
Dependemos de la tecnología.	We depend on technology.
¿De quién depende el proyecto?	Who does the project depend on?
La felicidad depende de uno mismo.	Happiness depends on oneself.
Dependo de la ayuda.	I depend on the help.
Ella depende de su experiencia.	She depends on her experience.
Todo depende del tiempo.	Everything depends on the time.
¿De qué depende tu futuro?	What does your future depend on?
No dependo de la suerte.	I don’t depend on luck.
Dependemos de la naturaleza.	We depend on nature.
¿De quién depende la empresa?	Who does the company depend on?
La calidad depende del material.	The quality depends on the material.
Dependo de tu consejo.	I depend on your advice.
Ella depende de su fuerza.	She depends on her strength.

Insistir en (To Insist On)

Insistir means “to insist.” The preposition en is required when specifying what you are insisting on.

Here is a table with examples of “Insistir en”:

Spanish	English
Insisto en que vengas.	I insist that you come.
Ella insiste en pagar la cuenta.	She insists on paying the bill.
Siempre insisto en la verdad.	I always insist on the truth.
¿En qué insistes?	What do you insist on?
No insisto en nada.	I don’t insist on anything.
Insistimos en nuestra opinión.	We insist on our opinion.
¿En qué insisten ellos?	What do they insist on?
Él insiste en su inocencia.	He insists on his innocence.
Insisto en mi derecho.	I insist on my right.
Ella insiste en su punto de vista.	She insists on her point of view.
Siempre insisto en la justicia.	I always insist on justice.
¿En qué insistes ahora?	What do you insist on now?
No insisto en el pasado.	I don’t insist on the past.
Insistimos en la importancia.	We insist on the importance.
¿En qué insisten ustedes?	What do you insist on? (formal plural)
El niño insiste en el juguete.	The boy insists on the toy.
Insisto en la necesidad.	I insist on the necessity.
Ella insiste en la calidad.	She insists on the quality.
Siempre insisto en la puntualidad.	I always insist on punctuality.
¿En qué insistes cada vez?	What do you insist on each time?
No insisto en el problema.	I don’t insist on the problem.
Insistimos en la solución.	We insist on the solution.
¿En qué insisten tus padres?	What do your parents insist on?
El perro insiste en el hueso.	The dog insists on the bone.
Insisto en la verdad.	I insist on the truth.
Ella insiste en su idea.	She insists on her idea.

Ayudar a (To Help)

Ayudar means “to help.” The preposition a is required before the person being helped (personal a).

Here is a table with examples of “Ayudar a”:

Spanish	English
Ayudo a mi hermano.	I help my brother.
Ella ayuda a su madre.	She helps her mother.
Siempre ayudo a mis amigos.	I always help my friends.
¿A quién ayudas?	Who do you help?
No ayudo a nadie.	I don’t help anyone.
Ayudamos a los necesitados.	We help those in need.
¿A quién ayudan ustedes?	Who do you help? (formal plural)
Él ayuda a su padre.	He helps his father.
Ayudo a mi vecino.	I help my neighbor.
Ella ayuda a su abuela.	She helps her grandmother.
Siempre ayudo a mis compañeros.	I always help my classmates.
¿A quién ayudas en casa?	Who do you help at home?
No ayudo a los mentirosos.	I don’t help liars.
Ayudamos a los animales.	We help the animals.
¿A quién ayudan tus padres?	Who do your parents help?
El niño ayuda a su hermana.	The boy helps his sister.
Ayudo a mi profesor.	I help my teacher.
Ella ayuda a su colega.	She helps her colleague.
Siempre ayudo a mi comunidad.	I always help my community.
¿A quién ayudas en el trabajo?	Who do you help at work?
No ayudo a los egoístas.	I don’t help selfish people.
Ayudamos a los enfermos.	We help the sick.
¿A quién ayudan tus amigos?	Who do your friends help?
El perro ayuda a su dueño.	The dog helps his owner.
Ayudo a mi familia.	I help my family.
Ella ayuda a su amigo.	She helps her friend.

Ir a (To Go To)

Ir means “to go.” The preposition a is essential when specifying the destination.

Here is a table with examples of “Ir a”:

Spanish	English
Voy a la playa.	I am going to the beach.
Ella va al cine.	She is going to the cinema.
Siempre voy al parque.	I always go to the park.
¿A dónde vas?	Where are you going?
No voy a ningún lado.	I am not going anywhere.
Vamos a la fiesta.	We are going to the party.
¿A dónde van ustedes?	Where are you going? (formal plural)
Él va al trabajo.	He is going to work.
Voy a casa.	I am going home.
Ella va a la escuela.	She is going to school.
Siempre voy al supermercado.	I always go to the supermarket.
¿A dónde vas de vacaciones?	Where are you going on vacation?
No voy a la oficina hoy.	I am not going to the office today.
Vamos al restaurante.	We are going to the restaurant.
¿A dónde van tus amigos?	Where are your friends going?
El niño va al jardín.	The boy is going to the garden.
Voy a la ciudad.	I am going to the city.
Ella va a la universidad.	She is going to the university.
Siempre voy al gimnasio.	I always go to the gym.
¿A dónde vas el fin de semana?	Where are you going on the weekend?
No voy al concierto.	I am not going to the concert.
Vamos al museo.	We are going to the museum.
¿A dónde van tus padres?	Where are your parents going?
El perro va al parque.	The dog is going to the park.
Voy al médico.	I am going to the doctor.
Ella va a la tienda.	She is going to the store.

Llegar a (To Arrive At)

Llegar means “to arrive.” The preposition a is essential when specifying the destination.

Here is a table with examples of “Llegar a”:

Spanish	English
Llego a casa a las seis.	I arrive home at six.
Ella llega al aeropuerto tarde.	She arrives at the airport late.
Siempre llego al trabajo temprano.	I always arrive at work early.
¿A qué hora llegas?	What time do you arrive?
No llego a tiempo.	I don’t arrive on time.
Llegamos a la estación.	We arrive at the station.
¿A qué hora llegan ustedes?	What time do you arrive? (formal plural)
Él llega al hotel mañana.	He arrives at the hotel tomorrow.
Llego a la cima.	I arrive at the top.
Ella llega a la conclusión.	She arrives at the conclusion.
Siempre llego al final.	I always arrive at the end.
¿A qué hora llegas al evento?	What time do you arrive at the event?
No llego a entenderlo.	I don’t arrive at understanding it.
Llegamos al acuerdo.	We arrive at the agreement.
¿A qué hora llegan tus amigos?	What time do your friends arrive?
El tren llega a la plataforma.	The train arrives at the platform.
Llego a la meta.	I arrive at the finish line.
Ella llega a la solución.	She arrives at the solution.
Siempre llego al límite.	I always arrive at the limit.
¿A qué hora llegas al concierto?	What time do you arrive at the concert?
No llego a creerlo.	I don’t arrive at believing it.
Llegamos al destino.	We arrive at the destination.
¿A qué hora llegan tus padres?	What time do your parents arrive?
El avión llega al aeropuerto.	The plane arrives at the airport.