- Learn the structure estar + gerund to express ongoing actions
- Form regular gerunds: -ar verbs → -ando, -er/-ir verbs → -iendo
- Memorise common irregular gerunds (leyendo, durmiendo, oyendo)
- Conjugate estar correctly with gerunds for all persons
- Distinguish between present progressive (right now) and simple present (habitual)
- Place object pronouns correctly (before estar or attached to gerund)
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Expanding VerbsElementary
Present Progressive
Actions Happening Right Now - Estar + Gerund
What You'll Learn
Overview
The present progressive tense describes actions happening right now, at this very moment. Just like in English when we say "I am working" or "She is eating", Spanish uses estar + gerund (-ando/-iendo forms) to express ongoing actions in the present.
Same Concept, Different Structure
English
I am working
(be + verb-ing)
Spanish
Estoy trabajando
(estar + gerund)
The key is learning how to form the gerund (the -ando/-iendo form) and combining it with the correct form of estar.
Structure & Formation
Gerund Formation Rules
-AR Verbs → -ANDO
Remove -ar, add -ando
hablar → hablando(speaking)
trabajar → trabajando(working)
estudiar → estudiando(studying)
-ER/-IR Verbs → -IENDO
Remove -er/-ir, add -iendo
comer → comiendo(eating)
vivir → viviendo(living)
escribir → escribiendo(writing)
Irregular Gerunds to Memorise
These don't follow the regular patterns - you'll need to memorise them!
leer →leyendo
(reading)
traer →trayendo
(bringing)
oír →oyendo
(hearing)
ir →yendo
(going)
dormir →durmiendo
(sleeping)
morir →muriendo
(dying)
pedir →pidiendo
(asking)
servir →sirviendo
(serving)
Estar + Gerund = Present Progressive
Use the appropriate form of estar + the gerund. The gerund never changes - only estar conjugates.
trabajar (to work)
| Person | Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | estoy trabajando | I am working |
| tú | estás trabajando | you are working |
| él/ella | está trabajando | he/she is working |
| nosotros | estamos trabajando | we are working |
| vosotros | estáis trabajando | you all are working |
| ellos | están trabajando | they are working |
comer (to eat)
| Person | Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | estoy comiendo | I am eating |
| tú | estás comiendo | you are eating |
| él/ella | está comiendo | he/she is eating |
| nosotros | estamos comiendo | we are eating |
| vosotros | estáis comiendo | you all are eating |
| ellos | están comiendo | they are eating |
trabajar (to work)
yoI am working
estoy trabajando
túyou are working
estás trabajando
él/ellahe/she is working
está trabajando
nosotroswe are working
estamos trabajando
vosotrosyou all are working
estáis trabajando
ellosthey are working
están trabajando
comer (to eat)
yoI am eating
estoy comiendo
túyou are eating
estás comiendo
él/ellahe/she is eating
está comiendo
nosotroswe are eating
estamos comiendo
vosotrosyou all are eating
estáis comiendo
ellosthey are eating
están comiendo
Examples
Present Progressive vs Simple Present
Use progressive for actions happening right now, simple present for habits/routines:
Progressive (now)
Estoy comiendo
I am eating (right now)
Simple (habit)
Como a las 2
I eat at 2 (every day)
Progressive (now)
Está trabajando
She is working (at this moment)
Simple (habit)
Trabaja en un banco
She works at a bank (general)
Progressive (now)
Estamos estudiando
We are studying (now)
Simple (habit)
Estudiamos español
We study Spanish (regularly)
Actions Right Now
Learning
Estoy estudiando español
I am studying Spanish
Weather
Está lloviendo mucho
It is raining a lot
Activity
Los niños están jugando
The children are playing
Mealtime
Estamos cenando ahora
We are having dinner now
Questions & Answers
Question
¿Qué estás haciendo?
What are you doing?
Answer
Estoy leyendo un libro
I am reading a book
Question
¿Dónde están viviendo?
Where are they living?
Answer
Están viviendo en Madrid
They are living in Madrid
Common Time Expressions
ahora
now
Estoy trabajando ahora
en este momento
at this moment
Está comiendo en este momento
todavía
still
Todavía estoy esperando
actualmente
currently
Estamos viviendo actualmente en España
Common Mistakes
Always Use ESTAR, Never SER
Wrong: Soy comiendo
Correct:Estoy comiendo
The present progressive ALWAYS uses estar - never ser!
Don't Overuse the Progressive
Spanish uses the progressive less than English. For habits, use the simple present:
Not for habits:
Estoy trabajando todos los díasUse simple present:
Trabajo todos los días
Object Pronoun Placement: Two Options
Object pronouns can go before estar OR attached to the gerund:
Before estar:
Lo estoy leyendo
Attached to gerund:
Estoy leyéndolo
Both forms have the same meaning - choose whichever feels natural!
Quick Test
Test your understanding of the present progressive tense:
1. How do you say 'I am working' in Spanish?
2. What's the gerund of 'leer' (to read)?
3. Choose the correct translation: 'They are eating dinner'
4. What's the gerund of 'hablar' (to speak)?
5. What's the gerund of 'dormir' (to sleep)?
6. Complete: 'Nosotros _____ (estudiar) para el examen'
7. How do you say 'It is raining'?
8. What's the gerund of 'oír' (to hear)?