Empezar a, dejar de, ponerse a
B1Grammar path · Lesson 62 of 86 · Stage B1 · Verb phrases
These three verb phrases let you talk about the start and end of an action, which you need all the time when telling stories or describing habits. The pattern is simple: conjugate the first verb for the subject and tense, then add its fixed preposition and an infinitive: empezar a + infinitive (start), dejar de + infinitive (stop, quit), ponerse a + infinitive (get down to, suddenly start). The preposition is never dropped: empecé a estudiar, not 'empecé estudiar'. Learners often mix up dejar de and terminar de: dejar de means stopping or quitting an action, while terminar de means finishing it completely.
Practise this lesson · 9 sentences
Form
sujeto + empezar a / dejar de / ponerse a + infinitivosujeto + no + empezar a / dejar de / ponerse a + infinitivo¿(palabra interrogativa) + empezar a / dejar de / ponerse a + infinitivo?When to use it
Starting an action
Use empezar a when an action or state begins, including weather. Comenzar a means the same but sounds a little more formal.
Stopping or quitting something
Use dejar de to say an action stops or a habit is dropped. In the imperative it tells someone to stop doing something.
Suddenly starting or getting down to something
Ponerse a stresses a sudden start or deliberately getting down to a task. The reflexive pronoun is always there and must match the subject.
Verb phrases for starting and stopping
Signal words
Frequently asked questions
Can I drop the preposition in empezar a?
No. You always need a after empezar and ponerse, and de after dejar: empecé a correr, dejé de correr.
What is the difference between dejar de and terminar de?
Dejar de means stopping or quitting, possibly unfinished. Terminar de means completing it: terminé de leer el libro means you read the whole book.
When should I use ponerse a instead of empezar a?
Use ponerse a when the start is sudden or the person deliberately gets down to it. Empezar a is neutral and also works for weather, as in empezó a llover.
What does no dejes de mean?
In the negative imperative, no dejes de means be sure to: no dejes de visitar el museo means make sure you visit the museum.
How is empezar conjugated in the present?
Empezar changes e to ie: empiezo, empiezas, empieza, empezamos, empiezan. In the preterite the yo form is spelled empecé.