“Llevo dos horas esperando”: two verbs working together
CEFR B2 · part 1
edumaterial's parts within the level. The European framework does not subdivide them.
“Se vende”: the passive that Spanish actually usesSaying things without naming who does them: “se vende piso”, “se venden pisos” —agreeing…“Aunque llueve” or “aunque llueva”Choosing the mood after “aunque”, “a pesar de que” and “por mucho que” according to…“Llegó Ana”: the subject after the verbPutting the subject after the verb where Spanish prefers it: with verbs of happening…“Lo que quiero”: the neuter “lo”Using “lo” with an adjective (“lo bueno”, “lo difícil”) and “lo que” for “what”: “lo que…“Depender de”, “soñar con”, “pensar en”The preposition each verb demands, which almost never matches the English one: “depender…“Ser” or “estar”: two verbs for one “to be”Choosing between “ser” and “estar” in everyday sentences: who you are and what you are…The rule, in three lines
Two verbs working together carry meanings that English puts in adverbs: acabo de llegar (I have just arrived), llevo dos horas esperando (I have been waiting), volvió a llamar (he called again), dejó de fumar (he stopped smoking), se puso a llover (it started pouring).
The usual slip. Translating the English adverb instead of using the structure: llegué justo ahora for acabo de llegar, or lo hizo otra vez for volvió a hacerlo — both understandable, neither idiomatic.
Why it catches you out. English carries these in adverbs and auxiliaries: just, again, keep on, stop. Spanish carries them in a SECOND VERB, so the word you are looking for disappears: “volver a hacerlo” has no “again” in it anywhere.