- A2 Essential: Learn the structure estar + gerund to express ongoing actions
- Form regular gerunds: -ar verbs → -ando, -er/-ir verbs → -iendo
- Memorise common irregular gerunds (leyendo, trayendo, oyendo, yendo, durmiendo, muriendo)
- Conjugate estar correctly with gerunds for all persons
- Distinguish between present progressive (right now) and simple present (habitual)
- Use appropriate time expressions with present progressive
- Place object correctly (before estar or attached to gerund)
- Avoid common mistakes like using ser instead of estar
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Present Progressive: Actions Happening Right Now
What You'll Learn
Overview / Usage
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.
⏰ Present Progressive: Same Concept, Different Structure
In English, we use "be + -ing" to show ongoing actions. Spanish uses "estar + gerund" for exactly the same purpose.
English Structure:
"I am working"
(be + verb-ing)
"I am working"
(be + verb-ing)
Spanish Structure:
"Estoy trabajando"
(estar + gerund)
"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
⚠️ Common Irregular Gerunds
Some verbs have irregular gerund forms you need to memorise:
leer → leyendo
reading
traer → trayendo
bringing
oír → oyendo
hearing
ir → yendo
going
dormir → durmiendo
sleeping
morir → muriendo
dying
🔄 Estar + Gerund = Present Progressive
Use the appropriate form of estar + the gerund. The gerund never changes - only estar conjugates.
trabajar (to work)
yoestoy trabajando
túestás trabajando
él/ella/ustedestá trabajando
nosotrosestamos trabajando
vosotrosestáis trabajando
ellos/ustedesestán trabajando
comer (to eat)
yoestoy comiendo
túestás comiendo
él/ella/ustedestá comiendo
nosotrosestamos comiendo
vosotrosestáis comiendo
ellos/ustedesestán comiendo
Examples
📅 Present Progressive vs Simple Present
Present Progressive
Actions happening RIGHT NOW
Estoy estudiando ahora
I am studying right now
¿Qué estás haciendo?
What are you doing?
Simple Present
Habitual actions or general facts
Estudio español
I study Spanish (in general)
María trabaja aquí
María works here (regularly)
📱 Phone Conversation
Hola, ¿qué estás haciendo?
Hi, what are you doing?
Estoy cocinando la cena
I'm cooking dinner
¿Y los niños?
And the children?
Están jugando en el jardín
They're playing in the garden
María está estudiando para el examen
María is studying for the exam
¿Está lloviendo ahí?
Is it raining there?
Sí, está lloviendo mucho
Yes, it's raining a lot
⏲️ Common Time Expressions with Present Progressive
ahora
now
Estoy leyendo ahora
en este momento
at this moment
Está comiendo en este momento
actualmente
currently
Estamos viviendo actualmente
hoy
today
Estoy trabajando hoy
esta semana
this week
Están estudiando esta semana
todavía
still
Todavía estoy esperando
Gotchas / Common Mistakes
⚠️ Common Mistakes & Gotchas
❌ Don't Use with Ser
Wrong:Soy comiendo
Correct:Estoy comiendo
Always use forms of estar, never ser, for the present progressive
💡 Don't Overuse the Progressive
Spanish uses the progressive less than English. Don't use it for future plans or habits.
For habits, use simple present:
Trabajo todos los días
I work every day
✅ Position of Object Pronouns
Object pronouns can go before estar OR attached to the gerund:
Lo estoy leyendo
I'm reading it
Estoy leyéndolo
I'm reading it (same meaning)
Quick Test / Mini Quiz
⏳ Interactive Present Progressive Quiz
Test your knowledge of Spanish present progressive tense and gerund formation!
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)?
Useful Resources
Coming soon...