Using Estar por + infinitive to express feeling tempted/having the intention to do something Flashcards
In Spanish we use estar por, followed by an infinitive,
when there is an intention to do something or there is a temptation to do something, that something being what it is expressed with the infinitive.
The subject doesn’t always have to be a person; if it’s not a person but “something” or it is an impersonal sentence, we can still use estar por + infintive, meaning that there is something that is expected to happen soon/is about to happen soon.
Sometimes, to express that something is still [needed] to be done, we also use estar + por.
I feel tempted to confess the whole truth to my boyfriend.
Estoy por confesar toda la verdad a mi novio.
Your parents are about to/feel tempted to ban you from going to the party, so behave.
Tus padres están por prohibirte que vayas a la fiesta, así que sé bueno.
María has the intention of leaving the course and starting work.
María está por dejar el curso y empezar a trabajar.
I feel tempted to lend Carmen the money. She is having financial problems.
Estoy por prestarle yo el dinero a Carmen. Está pasando apuros económicos.
Ugh! Look at that grey sky. Take the umbrella because it’s going to rain soon.
¡Uy! Mira ese cielo gris. Coge el paraguas porque está por llover.
Careful! That shelf is going to fall!
¡Cuidado! ¡Esa estantería está por caerse!
These documents still need to be reviewed and signed. I haven’t had time.
Estos documentos todavía están por revisar y firmar. No he tenido tiempo.
Your girlfriend won’t let you come with us. -We’ll see about that. [lit: that is to be seen]
Tu novia no te dejará venir con nosotros. -Eso está por ver.
My appointment with the paediatrician is yet to be confirmed, but I don’t think there’ll be a problem.
Mi cita con el pediatra está por confirmar, pero no creo que haya problemas.
