Present Progressive in Spanish: A2 Grammar Guide
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Key Takeaways
- Master the conjugation of estar + gerund to form the present progressive
- Understand when to use present progressive vs. simple present tense
- Learn how to form regular and irregular gerunds (-ndo forms)
- Practice describing actions happening right now and temporary situations
- Master pronoun placement with progressive constructions
Describe Actions Happening Right Now
The present progressive (estar + gerundio) is your go-to tense for talking about actions that are in progress at this very moment. Think of it as the Spanish equivalent of “-ing” verbs in English. Whether you’re describing what someone is doing right now or talking about temporary situations, this tense makes your Spanish sound current and dynamic.
How to Form the Present Progressive (Cómo Formarlo)
The present progressive is a compound tense formed with:
Estar (conjugated) + Gerund (-ndo form)
Table: Present Conjugation of Estar – The essential auxiliary verb
| Subject | Estar Conjugation | Example with “hablar” |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | estoy | Estoy hablando (I am speaking) |
| Tú | estás | Estás hablando (You are speaking) |
| Él/Ella/Usted | está | Está hablando (He/She is speaking) |
| Nosotros/Nosotras | estamos | Estamos hablando (We are speaking) |
| Vosotros/Vosotras | estáis | Estáis hablando (You all are speaking) |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | están | Están hablando (They are speaking) |
Forming Regular Gerunds (Gerundios Regulares)
| Verb Ending | Change To | Example | Gerund |
|---|---|---|---|
| -AR | -ando | hablar → | hablando |
| -ER | -iendo | comer → | comiendo |
| -IR | -iendo | vivir → | viviendo |
💡 Grammar Tip: Remember the pattern: -AR → -ando and -ER/-IR → -iendo. This works for most Spanish verbs and is easy to master!
Common Irregular Gerunds
Table: Essential Irregular Gerunds – Must-know verbs
| Infinitive | Gerund | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ir | yendo | going | Estoy yendo al mercado. (I am going to the market.) |
| Leer | leyendo | reading | Está leyendo un libro. (He is reading a book.) |
| Oír | oyendo | hearing/listening | Estamos oyendo música. (We are listening to music.) |
| Traer | trayendo | bringing | Están trayendo los regalos. (They are bringing the gifts.) |
| Decir | diciendo | saying | Está diciendo la verdad. (He is saying the truth.) |
Stem-Changing Verbs in Gerunds
-IR Stem-Changing Verbs: Have vowel changes in the gerund
- e → i: pedir → pidiendo (asking)
- o → u: dormir → durmiendo (sleeping)
- e → i: servir → sirviendo (serving)
-AR and -ER Verbs: No stem changes in gerunds
- pensar → pensando (thinking)
- volver → volviendo (returning)
🔍 Grammar Focus: Only -IR verbs stem-change in the gerund. -AR and -ER verbs keep their regular stems.
When to Use Present Progressive (Cuándo Usarlo)
Use this tense for:
- ✅ Actions Happening Now: What is occurring at this moment
- ✅ Temporary Situations: Actions in progress but not permanent
- ✅ Ongoing Processes: Developments and changes happening now
Examples:
- “Estoy estudiando para el examen.” (I am studying for the exam.) – Right now
- “Está lloviendo mucho esta semana.” (It is raining a lot this week.) – Temporary situation
- “Están construyendo un nuevo edificio.” (They are building a new building.) – Ongoing process
Present Progressive vs. Simple Present
| Use Present Progressive for: | Use Simple Present for: |
|---|---|
| Actions happening right now | Habitual actions |
| Temporary situations | General truths |
| What someone is doing at the moment | Permanent situations |
Examples:
- “Estoy leyendo un libro.” (I am reading a book.) – Right now
- “Leo libros todos los días.” (I read books every day.) – Habit
- “Está trabajando en Madrid.” (He is working in Madrid.) – Temporary
- “Trabaja como ingeniero.” (He works as an engineer.) – Permanent
Pronoun Placement with Present Progressive
Option 1: Before the conjugated form of estar
- “Me estoy lavando.” (I am washing myself.)
- “Te estás divirtiendo.” (You are having fun.)
Option 2: Attached to the end of the gerund
- “Estoy lavándome.” (I am washing myself.)
- “Estás divirtiéndote.” (You are having fun.)
With Object Pronouns:
- “Lo estoy haciendo.” or “Estoy haciéndolo.” (I am doing it.)
- “Se los estoy dando.” or “Estoy dándoselos.” (I am giving them to him.)
Putting It All Together: Real-Time Conversations
Conversation 1: What’s Happening Now
Ana: Hola Carlos, ¿qué estás haciendo?
Carlos: Estoy cocinando la cena. Mi hermana está ayudándome.
Ana: ¿Está lloviendo todavía?
Carlos: No, ya no está lloviendo. El sol está saliendo.
Translation:
Ana: Hi Carlos, what are you doing?
Carlos: I am cooking dinner. My sister is helping me.
Ana: Is it still raining?
Carlos: No, it’s not raining anymore. The sun is coming out.
Conversation 2: Office Check-In
Jefe: ¿Qué están haciendo todos?
Empleado: María está escribiendo el informe. Juan está revisando los datos.
Jefe: ¿Y tú?
Empleado: Yo estoy organizando la reunión.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overusing for habits: Use simple present for routines: “Como a las 2” not “Estoy comiendo a las 2.”
- Wrong gerund form: “Estoy leiendo” (wrong) → “Estoy leyendo” (correct)
- Forgetting stem changes: “Estoy pediendo” (wrong) → “Estoy pidiendo” (correct)
- Using with “ser”: “Soy comiendo” (wrong) → “Estoy comiendo” (correct)
- Misplacing pronouns: “Estoy me lavando” (wrong) → “Me estoy lavando” or “Estoy lavándome” (correct)
Quick Reference Chart
| Element | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | estar + gerund | estoy hablando |
| Regular -AR | -ando | hablando |
| Regular -ER/-IR | -iendo | comiendo, viviendo |
| Irregular Gerunds | Special forms | yendo, leyendo, oyendo |
| Stem Changes | -IR verbs only | pidiendo, durmiendo |
| Pronoun Placement | Before estar or attached to gerund | Me estoy bañando / Estoy bañándome |
Practice Exercise: Convert to Present Progressive
Convert these sentences to present progressive:
- Yo (leer) un libro.
- Ellos (dormir) ahora.
- ¿Tú (estudiar) para el examen?
- Nosotros (escribir) cartas.
Answers:
- Estoy leyendo un libro.
- Están durmiendo ahora.
- ¿Estás estudiando para el examen?
- Estamos escribiendo cartas.
💻 Practice Conjugations Live! Use our Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool to practice present progressive with any verb.
Ready to Describe Current Actions?
Think you’ve mastered the present progressive? Test your ability to describe what’s happening right now in Spanish!
Take Our Present Progressive Quiz ►
