The Progressive Tense Present and Imperfect Tenses

To describe in Spanish an action that is taking place as you speak use the present progressive (presente progresivo). To do so: - Use the form of estar (to be) that agrees with the subject + a present participle (gerundio). (-ing in English) - Use the form of estar (to be) that agrees with the subject + a present participle (gerundio). (-ing in English)

¿Qué está haciendo Chela? ¿Qué está haciendo Chela? What is Chela doing right now? What is Chela doing right now? ¿Qué haces Chela? ¿Qué haces Chela? What is Chela doing?(this weekend..tonight etc.) What is Chela doing?(this weekend..tonight etc.)

In Spanish, the present progressive describes an action that is ocurring right now. To describe actions going on in the general present, use the present tense.

Compare the following sentences: Patricia está escribiendo una carta. Patricia está escribiendo una carta. Patricia is writing a letter. (RIGHT NOW.) Patricia is writing a letter. (RIGHT NOW.) Stephen King escribe otra novela. Stephen King escribe otra novela. Stephen King is writing another novel. (THIS YEAR) Stephen King is writing another novel. (THIS YEAR)

ESTAR – to be ESTAR – to beyonosotros túvosotros él/ellaustedellos/asustedes estoy estás está estamos estáis están

In Spanish, the imperfect progressive is used to describe something that was taking place over a period of time in the past. In Spanish, the imperfect progressive is used to describe something that was taking place over a period of time in the past. Ex: Estaba esquiando cuando me caí y me torcí la rodilla. Ex: Estaba esquiando cuando me caí y me torcí la rodilla. I was skiing when I fell and twisted my knee. I was skiing when I fell and twisted my knee.

Note that the imperfect progressive describes what was taking place while the preterite tells a specific occurrence in the past or interrups the action. Note that the imperfect progressive describes what was taking place while the preterite tells a specific occurrence in the past or interrups the action. Ex: Estaba esquiando cuando me caí y me torcí la rodilla. Ex: Estaba esquiando cuando me caí y me torcí la rodilla. I was skiing when I fell and twisted my knee. I was skiing when I fell and twisted my knee.

Note that the imperfect progressive describes what was taking place while the preterite tells a specific occurrence in the past or interrups the action. Note that the imperfect progressive describes what was taking place while the preterite tells a specific occurrence in the past or interrups the action. Ex: Ella estaba corriendo cuando se lastimó el tobillo. Ex: Ella estaba corriendo cuando se lastimó el tobillo. She was running when I she injured her ankle. She was running when I she injured her ankle.

It is never wrong to use just the imperfect instead of the imperfect progressive when talking about an “ongoing action.” You can choose either. The progressive tense puts a little more emphasis on the ongoing action but either is OK. It is never wrong to use just the imperfect instead of the imperfect progressive when talking about an “ongoing action.” You can choose either. The progressive tense puts a little more emphasis on the ongoing action but either is OK. Ex: Ella estaba corriendo cuando se lastimó el tobillo. Ex: Ella estaba corriendo cuando se lastimó el tobillo. Ex: Ella corría cuando se lastimó el tobillo. Ex: Ella corría cuando se lastimó el tobillo. She was running when … She was running when …

Ex: Estaba esquiando cuando me caí y me torcí la rodilla. Ex: Estaba esquiando cuando me caí y me torcí la rodilla. Ex: Esquiaba cuando me caí y me torcí la rodilla. Ex: Esquiaba cuando me caí y me torcí la rodilla. I was skiing when… I was skiing when… But remember in the present tense, you can ONLY use the progressive tense when the action is going on “right now.” Since both the imperfect and the imperfect progressive are both in the past than the “right now” rule is no longer relevant. But remember in the present tense, you can ONLY use the progressive tense when the action is going on “right now.” Since both the imperfect and the imperfect progressive are both in the past than the “right now” rule is no longer relevant.

To form a present participle: 1. Drop the ending (-ar, -er, ir) from the infinitive. (Leaving the stem.) 1. Drop the ending (-ar, -er, ir) from the infinitive. (Leaving the stem.) 2. Add –ando to the stem of –ar 2. Add –ando to the stem of –ar verbs. verbs. Add –iendo to the stem of –er Add –iendo to the stem of –er or – ir verbs. or – ir verbs. This is the equivalent of the –ing form of the verb in English.

So basically, you are adding – NDO to the verb to make it the equivalent to –ING in English. So basically, you are adding – NDO to the verb to make it the equivalent to –ING in English. For -AR VERBS: For -AR VERBS: For -IR and - ER VERBS: For -IR and - ER VERBS: NDOA IE

 jugar jug + ando jugando  comer com + iendo comiendo  escribir escrib+ iendo escribiendo (playing) (eating) (writing)

Subject + ESTAR + ando iendo Estar will be conjugated to match the subject of the sentence.(gerund never changes Estar will be conjugated to match the subject of the sentence.(gerund never changes Estoy hablando.(I am talking.) Estoy hablando.(I am talking.) Ella está comiendo. (She is eating.) Ella está comiendo. (She is eating.)

 If the stem of an –er or –ir verb ends in a vowel, -iendo changes to –yendo.(i y)  leer  traer  oír  creer leyendo (reading) trayendo(bringing) oyendo (hearing) creyendo (believing)

All “-ir” verbs that normally change from e  ie in the present will change from e  i in the past participle (just like in the preterite sandal). All “-ir” verbs that normally change from e  ie in the present will change from e  i in the past participle (just like in the preterite sandal). divertir  divirtiendo divertir  divirtiendo sentir  sintiendo sentir  sintiendo

The following “-ir”verbs normally change from e  i in the present and the participles (just like in the sandal). The following “-ir”verbs normally change from e  i in the present and the participles (just like in the sandal). decir: diciendo decir: diciendo pedir: pidiendo pedir: pidiendo repetir: repitiendo repetir: repitiendo seguir: siguiendo seguir: siguiendo servir: sirviendo vestir:vistiendo servir: sirviendo vestir:vistiendo

All “-ir” verbs that normally change from o  ue in the present will change from o  u in the past participle (just like in the preterite sandal). All “-ir” verbs that normally change from o  ue in the present will change from o  u in the past participle (just like in the preterite sandal). dormir  durmiendo dormir  durmiendo morir  muriendo morir  muriendo

“-ir” stem-changing verbs The following verbs normally change from o  ue in the present but only o  u in the participle. The following verbs normally change from o  ue in the present but only o  u in the participle. dormir dormir morir morir

Pronouns can either go before “estar” (the conjugated verb) or attached to the participle. Pronouns can either go before “estar” (the conjugated verb) or attached to the participle. ducharse ducharse Me estaba duchando. Me estaba duchando. Estaba duchándome. Estaba duchándome.

I’m doing it. (la tarea) I’m doing it. (la tarea) La estoy haciendo. La estoy haciendo. Estoy haciéndola. Estoy haciéndola. NOTE: When attaching a pronoun you add an accent to the “a” of -ando and the “e” of –iendo. NOTE: When attaching a pronoun you add an accent to the “a” of -ando and the “e” of –iendo.