🔥 Quick Tip: The present progressive (estar + gerundio) is essential for talking about actions happening right now! For example: Estoy estudiando español (I am studying Spanish).

What is the Present Progressive in Spanish?

The present progressive, known as estar + gerundio in Spanish, is used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or around the current time. Unlike English, Spanish often uses this form for ongoing actions rather than the simple present tense. For instance:

• English: I am eating.
• Spanish: Estoy comiendo.

This structure is a verbal periphrasis (a group of words functioning as a single verb) and is crucial for everyday conversations 1.

How to Form Estar + Gerundio

To form the present progressive, you need two elements:

1. Conjugation of estar: Match the subject pronoun (yo, tú, él, etc.) with the correct form of estar.
2. Gerundio (-ing form): Add -ando to -AR verbs and -iendo to -ER/-IR verbs.

Conjugation of Estar

Subject Pronoun	Conjugation of Estar
Yo	estoy
Tú	estás
Él/Ella/Usted	está
Nosotros/Nosotras	estamos
Vosotros/Vosotras	estáis
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	están

Forming the Gerundio

• -AR verbs: Replace -ar with -ando.
  Example: hablar → hablando (speaking).
• -ER verbs: Replace -er with -iendo.
  Example: comer → comiendo (eating).
• -IR verbs: Replace -ir with -iendo.
  Example: vivir → viviendo (living).

📌 Example Sentences:

• Estoy hablando con mi amigo. (I am talking to my friend.)
• Estás comiendo una manzana. (You are eating an apple.)
• Estamos viviendo en Madrid. (We are living in Madrid.)

Irregular Gerundios

Some verbs have irregular gerundio forms. Here are the most common ones:

Infinitive	Gerundio	Example Sentence
ir (to go)	yendo	Estoy yendo al mercado. (I am going to the market.)
leer (to read)	leyendo	Ella está leyendo un libro. (She is reading a book.)
dormir (to sleep)	durmiendo	Él está durmiendo. (He is sleeping.)
sentir (to feel)	sintiendo	Estoy sintiendo alegría. (I am feeling joy.)

💡 Note: Verbs like creer (to believe) become creyendo, and traer (to bring) becomes trayendo 4.

When to Use Estar + Gerundio

1. Actions Happening Now:
   Use it for actions occurring at the moment of speech.
   Example: Estoy escribiendo este artículo. (I am writing this article.)
2. Temporary Actions:
   Describe actions that are in progress but not necessarily permanent.
   Example: Estoy estudiando para el examen. (I am studying for the exam.)
3. Repetitive or Annoying Habits:
   Sometimes used with words like siempre (always) to emphasize repetition.
   Example: Siempre estás quejándote. (You are always complaining.)

🚫 When Not to Use It:

• Do not use it for future actions. Instead, use ir + a + infinitive (e.g., Voy a viajar for “I am going to travel”) 1.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using It for Future Actions:
   Incorrect: Mañana estoy viajando a Madrid.
   Correct: Mañana voy a viajar a Madrid. (Tomorrow I am going to travel to Madrid.)
2. Ignoring Irregularities:
   Incorrect: Estoy leiendo (misspelling of leyendo).
   Correct: Estoy leyendo.
3. Misplacing Pronouns:
   For reflexive verbs, pronouns can go before estar or attached to the gerundio.
   Example:
   • Me estoy lavando las manos. (I am washing my hands.)
   • Estoy lavándome las manos. (Same meaning.)

Conclusion

Mastering estar + gerundio is a key step for Spanish learners. It helps you describe ongoing actions and engage in real-time conversations. Practice regularly, and soon it will become second nature!

Practice makes perfect! Solidify your understanding of the Present Progressive tense with this interactive Spanish Present Progressive quiz. Select your difficulty level and get immediate feedback on your answers.