soler

to usually do

verb soh-LEHR Less Common

Also means

to be in the habit of

Usage Note

Soler is a semi-defective modal verb that only appears in the present (suelo, sueles…) and imperfect (solía, solías…) tenses — no preterite or future exist. It is always followed by an infinitive: suelo levantarme temprano ('I usually get up early'). The imperfect solía beautifully captures English 'used to.'

Examples

"Suelo tomar café por la mañana."

Natural Translation

I usually have coffee in the morning.

Literal Translation

I tend-to take coffee in the morning.

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