Present Progressive Tense Notes

To form the present progressive, conjugate the verb estar to agree with the subject of the sentence, and follow it with the present participle.

Yo estoy

Tú estás Nosotros estamos

Él está Ellos están

The present participle is the English "-ing" form of a verb.

How to form the present participle of regular verbs:

1: drop the infinitive ending (-ar, -er, -ir)

2: add –ando for –ar verbs and –iendo for –er/-ir verbs

Let’s practice conjugating to the present participle.-ar verbs

Hablar hablando

Cantar cantando

Trabajar trabajando

-er, -ir verbs

Comer comiendo

Beber bebiendo

Compartir compartiendo

Now we form the present progressive by using the verb “estar” followed by the participle.

Ex: I am talking Yo estoy hablando.

He is eating Él está comiendo

When to use it

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)

IMPERFECT PROGRESSIVEUse the imperfect progressive to say what someone was doing. Use the verb “estar” in the imperfect followed by the participle.

Yo estabaTú estabasNosotros estábamosÉl estaba Ellos estaban

I was talking. Yo estaba hablando.He was eating. Él estaba comiendo.

Ella Marcos

YoEllas

NosotrosEllos