Tener or Llevar?

Vrunda S.A2Kwiziq community member

Tener or Llevar?

In the first two egs given "Tengo escritas veinte paginas de mi futura novela" y "Tienes pintadas dos habitaciones. Falta una mas para terminar", why is tener + participio used instead of Llevar + participio? Since the repetition of the action is going to continue.

Thanks.

Vrunda

Asked 3 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Vrunda

Both verbs used with the participle may suggest a continuation of that action in the future, but tener doesn't always imply that. The structure using tener highlights the completion of that action more than anything.

Those examples you mention are indeed showing that that action will continue, but if you look at this other example in that same lesson:

Marta y yo tenemos planeado un viaje a Egipto.

Marta and I have planned a trip to Egypt.


This, said with llevar + planeado wouldn't work because we are talking about an action of planning that is finished. If you need to say that you have planned part of that trip but still have to continue with the planning then you'd have to use something different to imply that, for example:

Llevamos planeando un viaje a Egipto desde hace tiempo. (ongoing action of planning the trip, still unfinished plan)

With tener+ participio, the focus is more on what you have achieved. 
I agree that sometimes there is a bit of overlapping with the two verbs, but generally speaking they are focusing on slightly different things.
I hope this clarified it.

Saludos

Inma

Tener or Llevar?

In the first two egs given "Tengo escritas veinte paginas de mi futura novela" y "Tienes pintadas dos habitaciones. Falta una mas para terminar", why is tener + participio used instead of Llevar + participio? Since the repetition of the action is going to continue.

Thanks.

Vrunda

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
I'll be right with you...