The Progressive Tenses  

Grammar The Progressive Tenses Introduction
Overview

The "progressive tenses" are formed using the formula below:

conjugation of estar + gerund = progressive tense

The gerund (present participle) is formed with the stem of the verb plus -ando (for -ar verbs) or -iendo (for -er and -ir verbs). For example:

hablar ---> hablando (talking)
comer ---> comiendo (eating)
vivir ---> viviendo (living)

Any tense of estar can be used to form a progressive tense. See the examples below:

Yo estoy trabajando en la oficina.
I am working in the office.

Yo estaba estudiando.
I was studying.

Él estuvo corriendo aquí ayer.
He was running here yesterday.

Note: The progressive tenses always refer to an action in progress. Be careful when you use the progressive to express a future action.

Estará él trabajando.
He will be working.


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Popular Phrase: command for ver | Alphabet in Spanish | Conjugated Verb: decepcionar - to disappoint [ click for full conjugation ]