The Present Progressive Tense The Present Progressive tense describes an action that is in progress at the moment you are talking. In English, it is a form of to be followed by a GERUND [Present Participle]. My brothers are playing basketball. I am writing a letter. My sister is eating right now.
In Spanish, you use the appropriate form of ESTAR followed by the Gerund. To form the Gerund, drop the infinitive ending [ -ar, -er, -ir] and add: -AR verbs -ER verbs -IR verbs -ando -iendo -iendo jugar → jugando comer → comiendo escribir → escribiendo
Mis hermanos están jugando básquetbol. I am writing a letter. My brothers are playing basketball. Mis hermanos están jugando básquetbol. I am writing a letter. Estoy escribiendo una carta. My sister is eating right now. Mi hermana está comiendo ahora mismo.
I am studying the history lesson. What are you studying? ¿Qué estás estudiando? I am studying the history lesson. Yo estoy estudiando la lección de historia. What are they doing? ¿Qué están haciendo? We are taking notes. Nosotros estamos tomando apuntes.