Using poner/poner(se) + a + infinitive = to start to carry out an action Flashcards
The construction poner(se) a + infinitivo…
is used to mean to begin/start doing [something], to get something/someone to do [something], to set about doing [something] or to get on with [something].
ponerse a + infinitivo suggests the beginning of an activity at a specific moment, usually as an unexpected action.
It is also commonly used to talk about the weather in an impersonal way, as an unexpected action:
Shall I begin to study right now?
¿Me pongo a estudiar ahora mismo?
The children began to cry and we left.
Los niños se pusieron a llorar y nos fuimos.
We are going to start singing in five minutes.
Nosotros nos vamos a poner a cantar en cinco minutos.
It suddenly started to rain.
De repente se puso a llover.
It has started to snow!
¡Se ha puesto a nevar!
Put your shirt out to dry!
¡Pon tu camisa a secar!
My mother puts the laundry on. [lit: puts the dirty laundry to wash]
Mi madre pone la ropa sucia a lavar.
The farmers will put the tractors to harvest.
Los agricultores pondrán los tractores a cosechar.
Get the children to watch TV.
Pon a los niños a ver la televisión.
