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Learn how to say "to end up doing something" in Spanish
In Spanish we can express "To end up doing [something]" in 4 different ways:
Acabar por + infinitivo
Acabar (conjugated) por + Infinitivo
Terminar por + infinitivo
Terminar (conjugated) por + Infinitivo
Have a look and listen to the following examples:
Notice how preposition "por" always follows "acabar/terminar" in the examples above.
We can use the same verbs in a different way and the meaning does not change:
Acabar + present participle
Acabar (conjugated) + Gerundio/Spanish present participle
Terminar + present participle
Terminar (conjugated)+ Gerundio/Spanish present participle
For example:
Notice how in these examples above there is no preposition at all and the conjugated verb is followed by a present participle (not an infinitive). This verbal periphrase can be used in different tenses. Have a look and listen to the following examples:
En mi relación con Luis, siempre acabo cediendo yo.In my relationship with Luis, I always end up compromising.
All these structures are interchangeable.
Be careful not to mix them up by using infinitive instead of present participle, or the other way round.
Acabé por comprando ese vestido tan caro.
Acabé por comprar ese vestido tan caro.
I ended up buying that expensive dress.
Terminó darle el dinero que pedía.
Terminó dándole el dinero que pedía.
She ended up giving him the money he was asking.
See also Acabar de + [infinitive] = to have just done / just did something in Spanish (perífrasis verbal)
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