- Understand how prepositions transform verb meanings in Spanish
- Master five essential verbs: deber, pensar, acabar, contar, quedar
- Distinguish between deber (obligation) and deber de (supposition)
- Apply the correct verb+preposition combination in context
- Avoid common mistakes with these combinations
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📖Extension to: Common PrepositionsIntermediate
Prepositions that Change Verb Meanings
How small words transform what verbs mean
What You'll Learn
Overview
In Spanish, adding or changing a preposition 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 prepositions 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 five essential verbs where prepositions create dramatic meaning changes: deber, pensar, acabar, contar, and quedar.
Deep Dive
Deber
Deber + infinitive - Should / Ought to (Obligation)
Expresses moral obligation, duty, or advice
Debes estudiar más
You should study more
Debemos ser honestos
We should be honest
Deber de + infinitive - Must be / Probably (Supposition)
Expresses supposition, probability, or logical deduction
Debe de ser tarde
It must be late / It's probably late
Debe de haber un problema
There must be a problem
Note: Adding "de" changes meaning from obligation to supposition. Many natives use "deber" for both, relying on context.
Pensar
Pensar - To think, to believe
General thinking or having an opinion
Pienso que tienes razón
I think you're right
Pienso viajar a España
I plan to travel to Spain
Pensar en - To think about
Having someone/something occupy your thoughts
Pienso en ti todo el día
I think about you all day
Pienso en cambiar de trabajo
I'm thinking about changing jobs
Pensar de - To think of (opinion)
Used in questions asking for opinions
¿Qué piensas de mi idea?
What do you think of my idea?
¿Qué piensas de la película?
What do you think of the movie?
Note: "Pensar de" is mainly for questions. In answers, use "pensar que" instead.
Acabar
Acabar - To finish, to end
Completing something
Acabé el libro ayer
I finished the book yesterday
Acabé comprando dos
I ended up buying two
Acabar de + infinitive - To have just done
Recent past action (use present tense)
Acabo de llegar
I just arrived
Acabamos de comer
We just ate
Note: Use present tense for "just" actions, imperfect for "had just" in the past.
Acabar con - To put an end to, to finish off
To destroy or use up completely
Hay que acabar con la pobreza
We must end poverty
Acabamos con toda la comida
We finished off all the food
Contar
Contar - To count / To tell
Counting numbers or telling stories
El niño cuenta hasta diez
The child counts to ten
Cuéntame qué pasó
Tell me what happened
Contar con - To count on / To have available
Relying on someone or having resources
Puedes contar conmigo
You can count on me
Contamos con buenos recursos
We have good resources
No contaba con que llegarías
I wasn't expecting you to arrive
Quedar
Quedar - To remain / To be left / To fit
Remaining, location, or how something fits
Quedan dos días
Two days remain / are left
¿Dónde queda el museo?
Where is the museum located?
Esta camisa me queda bien
This shirt fits me well
Quedar en - To agree to
Making arrangements or agreements
Quedamos en vernos mañana
We agreed to see each other tomorrow
Quedamos en que tú pagas
We agreed that you would pay
Quedarse - To stay (reflexive)
Actively staying in a place or keeping something
Me quedo en casa
I'm staying home
Me quedo con este
I'll take this one
Me quedé sorprendido
I was surprised (ended up surprised)
⚡ Deber vs Deber de - Quick Comparison
Context: It's 11 PM
Los niños deben estar durmiendo
→ The children should be sleeping (they ought to be, it's late)
Los niños deben de estar durmiendo
→ The children must be sleeping (I assume they are, based on the time)
Context: Making a guess
Debe de tener unos 40 años
→ He/She must be around 40 years old (my guess)
💡 Related Guide
For more on modal verbs and obligation, see our detailed guide:Modal Verbs Compared: Deber vs Tener que vs Haber que
Examples
See these verbs in realistic contexts:
Late Night Conversation
Deberías ir a casa, es tarde
You should go home, it's late (advice)
Debe de ser medianoche ya
It must be midnight already (supposition)
No contaba con que fuera tan tarde
I wasn't expecting it to be so late
Making Plans
Pienso ir al cine este fin de semana
I plan to go to the cinema this weekend
Pienso en qué película ver
I'm thinking about which movie to watch
Quedamos en vernos a las ocho
We agreed to meet at eight
After Dinner
Acabo de terminar de comer
I just finished eating
Acabamos con todo el postre
We finished off all the dessert
Me quedo un rato más
I'm staying a bit longer
Work Conversation
Puedes contar conmigo para el proyecto
You can count on me for the project
Contamos con poco presupuesto
We have a small budget
Quedan tres semanas para terminar
Three weeks remain to finish
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using deber when you mean supposition
✗ Debe ser tarde (ambiguous)
✓ Debe de ser tarde
Using "de" clearly indicates supposition, not advice
❌ Confusing pensar and pensar en
✗ Pienso tú
✓ Pienso en ti
Use "pensar en" when thinking about someone/something
❌ Wrong tense with acabar de
✗ Acabé de comer (for "I just ate")
✓ Acabo de comer
Use present tense for "just" actions
❌ Forgetting "con" with contar
✗ Puedes contar en mí
✓ Puedes contar conmigo
Always use "con" (not "en") for "count on"
❌ Confusing quedar and quedarse
✗ Quedo en casa (for staying home)
✓ Me quedo en casa
Use reflexive "quedarse" for actively staying
❌ Using pensar de in statements
✗ Pienso de la película que es buena
✓ Pienso que la película es buena
"Pensar de" is mainly for questions; use "pensar que" for statements
