How Prepositions Transform Meaning

In Spanish, adding or changing a after a verb can completely alter its meaning. This isn't just about grammar—it's about understanding how Spanish speakers actually think and express ideas. A small word like en, de, con, or a can turn a verb into something entirely different.

💡 Why This Matters

English speakers often struggle with these combinations because we think of verbs and separately. In Spanish, verb + preposition combinations function as distinct verbs with their own meanings. Learning them as complete units is the key to fluency.

This article focuses on four essential verbs where create dramatic meaning changes:pensar, acabar, contar, and quedar. Master these combinations and you'll sound significantly more natural in Spanish.

Pensar: To Think (But How?)

Pensar - To Think (General)

Usage: To think, to believe, to have an opinion

ExpressionMeaningExampleTranslation
pensarto think, to believePienso que tienes razónI think you're right
pensar + to plan to, to intend toPienso viajar a EspañaI plan to travel to Spain

Pensar en - To Think About

Usage: To think about something/someone (to have them in your thoughts)

ExpressionMeaningExampleTranslation
pensar ento think about (occupying thoughts)Pienso en ti todo el díaI think about you all day
pensar en + to think about doing, to considerPienso en cambiar de trabajoI'm thinking about changing jobs

Pensar de - To Think Of (Opinion)

Usage: To have an opinion about something (used in questions)

ExpressionMeaningExampleTranslation
¿Qué piensas de...?What do you think of/about...?¿Qué piensas de mi idea?What do you think of my idea?
pensar deto have an opinion about¿Qué piensas de la película?What do you think of the movie?

Note: Pensar de is mainly used in questions asking for opinions. In answers, Spanish speakers typically use pensar que instead: "Pienso que es buena" (I think it's good).

Acabar: Finishing and Just Finishing

Acabar - To Finish

Usage: To finish, to end, to complete

ExpressionMeaningExampleTranslation
acabarto finish, to endAcabé el libro ayerI finished the book yesterday
acabar + to end up doingAcabé comprando dosI ended up buying two

Acabar de - To Have Just Done

Usage: To have just finished doing something (recent past action)

ExpressionMeaningExampleTranslation
acabar de + to have just doneAcabo de llegarI just arrived
acabar de + to have just done (recent)Acabamos de comerWe just ate

Important: Acabar de is typically used in or to express recent actions. "Acabo de comer" = I just ate (literally now). "Acababa de salir" = I had just left.

Acabar con - To Put an End To

Usage: To put an end to something, to destroy, to finish off

ExpressionMeaningExampleTranslation
acabar conto put an end to, to destroyHay que acabar con la pobrezaWe must end poverty
acabar conto finish off, to use upAcabamos con toda la comidaWe finished off all the food

Contar: Counting vs Counting On

Contar - To Count / To Tell

Usage: To count numbers, to tell a story

ExpressionMeaningExampleTranslation
contar (números)to countEl niño cuenta hasta diezThe child counts to ten
contar (historia)to tell (a story)Cuéntame qué pasóTell me what happened

Contar con - To Count On / To Have

Usage: To count on someone, to rely on, to have at your disposal

ExpressionMeaningExampleTranslation
contar con alguiento count on someonePuedes contar conmigoYou can count on me
contar con algoto have, to have availableContamos con buenos recursosWe have good resources
contar con que...to expect that..., to count on the fact that...No contaba con que llegaríasI wasn't expecting you to arrive

Quedar: Staying, Meeting, and Remaining

Quedar - To Remain / To Be Left

Usage: To remain, to be left over, to be located

ExpressionMeaningExampleTranslation
quedarto be left, to remainQuedan dos díasTwo days remain / are left
quedar (location)to be located¿Dónde queda el museo?Where is the museum located?
quedar bien/malto fit well/badly, to look good/badEsta camisa me queda bienThis shirt fits me well

Quedar en - To Agree To

Usage: To agree to do something, to arrange to meet

ExpressionMeaningExampleTranslation
quedar en + to agree to doQuedamos en vernos mañanaWe agreed to see each other tomorrow
quedar en que...to agree that...Quedamos en que tú pagasWe agreed that you would pay

Quedarse - To Stay

Usage: To stay, to remain in a place ( form)

ExpressionMeaningExampleTranslation
quedarseto stay, to remainMe quedo en casaI'm staying home
quedarse conto keep, to takeMe quedo con esteI'll take this one
quedarse + adjectiveto become, to end upMe quedé sorprendidoI was surprised (I ended up surprised)

Practice Scenarios

Let's see how these verbs work in realistic contexts:

Scenario 1: Making Plans

  • Pienso ir al cine este fin de semanaI plan to go to the cinema this weekend (intention)
  • Pienso en qué película verI'm thinking about which movie to watch (considering)
  • ¿Qué piensas de esta película?What do you think of this movie? (asking opinion)
  • Quedamos en vernos a las ochoWe agreed to meet at eight (arrangement)

Scenario 2: After Dinner

  • Acabo de terminar de comerI just finished eating (recent action)
  • Acabamos con todo el postreWe finished off all the dessert (consumed completely)
  • ¿Cuánto queda de vino?How much wine is left? (remainder)
  • Me quedo un rato másI'm staying a bit longer (deciding to stay)

Scenario 3: Work Conversation

  • Puedes contar conmigo para el proyectoYou can count on me for the project (reliability)
  • Contamos con poco presupuestoWe have a small budget (what's available)
  • No contaba con que fuera tan difícilI wasn't expecting it to be so difficult (unexpected)
  • Quedan tres semanas para terminarThree weeks remain to finish (time left)

Scenario 4: Shopping

  • ¿Qué piensas de estos zapatos?What do you think of these shoes? (opinion)
  • Pienso en comprar los negrosI'm thinking about buying the black ones (considering)
  • Este me queda bienThis one fits me well (clothing fit)
  • Me quedo con esteI'll take this one (making a choice)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Confusing pensar and pensar en

Wrong: Pienso tú

Correct: Pienso en ti

When "thinking about" someone/something occupying your thoughts, use "pensar en"

❌ Using wrong tense with acabar de

Wrong: Acabé de comer (for "I just ate")

Correct: Acabo de comer

Use for "just" actions, for "had just" in the past

❌ Forgetting "con" with contar

Wrong: Puedes contar en mí

Correct: Puedes contar conmigo

Always use "con" (not "en") for "count on", and note "conmigo" (with me)

❌ Confusing quedar and quedarse

Wrong: Quedo en casa (for "I'm staying home")

Correct: Me quedo en casa

Use reflexive "quedarse" for actively staying/remaining in a place

❌ Using pensar de in statements

Wrong: Pienso de la película que es buena

Correct: Pienso que la película es buena

"Pensar de" is mainly for questions; use "pensar que" for stating opinions