Spanish verbs that don’t need a preposition One of the mistakes you might made when you learn Spanish is with prepositions, as prepositions drive students crazy, and in particular the use of verbs followed by prepositions. Sometimes students use those verbs followed by prepositions in the same way you would use them in English, when actually some, if not many of those Spanish verbs don’t need a preposition.

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In English those verbs with preposition, called “phrasal verbs” are very common. They are verbs that when linked with a preposition change meaning. That is why it is quite a popular mistake trying to use those same verbs with the preposition you would use it in English when speaking Spanish when they actually don’t need one.

So today we are going to see some Spanish verbs that don’t need a preposition, even tho they have a preposition when they are used before a noun in English, they do not need one in Spanish, as it is built into the word.

A while ago I wrote about this too, so you can find the first blog and the verbs I wrote about back then here http://spanishconnectionedinburgh.co.uk/spanish-verbs-without-preposition/

Now, introductions have been made and you know what we are seeing today, so if you are ready to take your Spanish to the  next level, let’s see some

Spanish verbs that don’t need a preposition

 

  • Apagar (to turn off)

When you ask someone to turn/switch off the lights, you don’t need a preposition after the verb in Spanish, if you are lying on the coach and the light is bothering you, but you are too lazy to turn it off, if your flatmate walks into the room, you will simply say:

¿Puedes apagar la luz, por favor?–Can you turn off the light please?

  • Bajar (to go down)

If you have a neighbour that is quite noisy when going down the staircase you probably complain about him with your friends saying:

Siempre baja las escaleras ruidosamente- He always goes down the stairs very loudly

  • Caerse (to fall down)

Imagine you visit a baby’s friend, who is learning to walk, your friend could explain you:

Está empezando a andar y se cae a menudo- he is learning to walk and he falls down often

We can also use it for things, imagine last night it was a big storm and several trees fell down, you could say:

La tormenta de anoche fue terrible, varios árboles se cayeron – The storm last night was terrible, several tress fell down.

  • Encender (to turn on)

A good example could also be the sentence in number 1 when we used apagar, to turn off, but when you want the lights on, or this time you might want to see a good program on tv, but you need to do something first, so you can say your flatmate.

Enciende la tele, el programa está a punto de empezar- Turn the tv on, the program is about to start.

 

  • Esperar (to wait for)

If you are at the cinema with a friend waiting for another who is running late, and you are worried you will miss the movie, you could say to the friend who is already there:

Vete a compra las entradas, yo espero aquí –  go and buy the tickets, I will wait here

  • Quitar (to take off)

When you are in a place where is very warm you think:

Necesito quitarme la chaqueta, hace mucho calor aquí- I need to take off my jacket, it is very warm here

 

  • Sacar (to take out)

If you have rubbish at home and you know your flatmate is going out you could remind him:

Cuando salgas acuerdate de sacar la basura por favor- When you go out remember to take the rubbish out please

  • Salir (to go out)

The sentences from above, number 7 can be used as an example for this verb too, but if you want a new one, just think that someone asks you about your plans for the weekend, you might just say:

Voy a salir con mis amigos- I am going out

#watchout-the preposition “con”, with goes with the complement “amigos” not with the verb, you can only say “voy a salir” – I am going out.

 

  • Subir (to go up)

If you are planning hiking during the weekend if it is sunny and you want to go up a mountain, you will explain your plans saying:

Si el tiempo es bueno, el sábado quiero subir la montaña – If the weather is nice, on Saturday I want to go up the mountain.

 

And that is another round of Spanish verbs that don’t need preposition!

 

If you have a friend who you think could take advantage of this blog, please do not keep it as a secret, share it! Let me help spread the Spanish language around.

 

I hope you enjoyed the blog and remember that I am waiting for you in the comments below, leave a comment using one of the verbs above, and also I would love to hear from you:

 

-do you know any other verbs which does not use preposition?

 

Let us know, I am sure it will help others!

 

As well if you have any other questions you know I am here for you.

 

Have a good one! And I will write to you soon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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