Spanish Present Progressive
estar + present participle
What was that? - the grammar lesson
The present progressive is formed by combining the verb "to be" with the present participle. (The present participle is merely the "-ing" form of a verb.)
I am studying.
I am studying with María.
In English, present progressive can be used to describe what is happening now, or what will happen in the future.
I am studying now.
I am studying with María tonight.
In Spanish, the present progressive is only used to describe an action that is in the process of taking place. It is not used for future actions.
I am studying now.
(use present progressive)
I am studying with María tonight.
(do not use present progressive)
Let's review the verb: estar
estar
(yo) estoy
(tú) estás
(él) está
(nosotros) estamos
(vosotros) estáis
(ellos) están
To form the present participle of regular -ar verbs, add -ando to the stem of the verb.
hablar: hablando
(hablar - ar + ando)
trabajar: trabajando
(trabajar - ar + ando)
estudiar: estudiando
(estudiar - ar + ando)
To form the present participle of regular -er and -ir verbs, add -iendo to the stem of the verb.
comer: comiendo
(comer - er + iendo)
hacer: haciendo
(hacer - er + iendo)
vivir: viviendo
(vivir - ir + iendo)
escribir: escribiendo
(escribir - ir + iendo)
To form the present participle of -ir stem changing verbs, change e:i and o:u in the stem, and then add -iendo to the stem of the verb.
servir: sirviendo
pedir: pidiendo
decir: diciendo
dormir: durmiendo
morir: muriendo
poder: pudiendo
Sometimes when forming the present participle it is necessary to change the spelling of a word so that it agrees with the way it is pronounced. We call this an "orthographic" change. Here are some common examples:
caer: cayendo
creer: creyendo
huir: huyendo
ir: yendo
influir: influyendo
oír: oyendo
traer: trayendo
leer: leyendo
seguir: siguiendo