What are you doing? I am learning Spanish with P2T – ¿Qué estás haciendo? Estoy aprendiendo español con P2T
Some real examples of how to use the verb “to be” + verb ending in -ing when talking about actions taking place now (right now or at this point in your life). – Te mostramos algunos ejemplos del presente continuo “estar” + gerundio – verbo terminado en -ando (verbos -ar) / -iendo (verbos -er, -ir ) para expresar acciones que tienen lugar en el momento en el que hablamos (ahora mismo o en este momento de nuestras vidas).
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1. Conjugación – Conjugation, how do we form it?
1.1. Verbos regulares – Regular verbs
The PRESENT PROGRESSIVE or continuous is formed by combining the verb “to be” with the present participle. (“-ing” form of a verb.) El presente progresivo o continuo se forma con el verbo “estar” y el gerundio de un verbo -AR (-ando) -ER, -IR (-iendo).
Yo estoy hablando con mi madre. (hablar > habl-ando)
I am talking to my mother.
Tú estás comiendo con tu hermano. (comer > com-iendo)
You are having lunch with your brother.
Nosotros estamos viviendo en España ahora. (vivir > viv-iendo)
You are having lunch with your brother.
1.2. Verbos irregulares – Irregular verbs
Some verbs have an irregular stem: o>u, e>i, -iendo>yendo
In these examples, the “o” in dormir changes to “u” (morir-muriendo, poder-pudiendo) and the “e” in decir changes to “i” (servir-sirviendo, pedir- pidiendo). We add “yendo” instead of “iendo” to those verbs which infinitive root ends in a vowel, for instance, LE-ER becomes LE–yendo (caer-cayendo, traer-trayendo) . Exception: reir-riendo, the “e” is dropped and we add “-iendo”.
2. Usos – when do we use it?
2.1. To talk about actions taking place right now
¡Mira! Juan está echando una foto a un turista.
Look! Juan is taking a picture of a tourist.
2.2. To talk about actions taking place at this point of our lifes
Juan está viajando por Australia.
Juan is travelling around Australia.
Se está quedando en un albergue.
He is staying at a youth hostel.
2.3. To talk about changing situations
El pueblo se está haciendo muy popular gracias a sus preciosas playas.
The town is becoming more and more popular because of its beautiful beaches.
3. No se usa – when not to use it?
3.1. We do NOT use it for plans in the near future
In English, present progressive can be used to describe what is happening now, or what will happen in the future. 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.
He quedado con Bartolo esta noche.
I am meeting Bart tonight.
Voy a quedar con Bartolo esta noche.
I am going to meet Bart tonight.
3.2 We do not use it to describe what we are wearing now.
In English, present progressive is used to describe what we are wearing. In Spanish, we use the present simple.
Llevo una falda roja y una camisa blanca.
I am wearing a red skirt and a white shirt.
4. Marcadores temporales – time expressions
–Right now – En este momento: Ahora, en este momento, hoy estoy trabajando duro (when we are still working). If we have already finished work, then we use present perfect, hoy he trabajado duro (jornada laboral terminada).
– At this point in your life – En este momento de tu vida: Actualmente, en la actualidad, hoy en día, esta semana, este mes, este año, últimamente, en la última década, en el último mes, estos días, ….
5. Ejercicios – Exercises
Answer these questions for each of the photos. *Note: list of verbs at the end of the page – Responde a estas preguntas para cada una de las fotografías. *Nota: listado de verbos al final de la página:
- ¿Qué está haciendo (él/ella)? Él/ella está…. porque….
- ¿Qué están haciendo (ellos/ellas)? Ellos/ellas están…. porque…
- What is he/she doing? He/she is…. because….
- What are they doing? They are… because….
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- Ellos…
- Él…
- Ellos…
- Él…
- Ella…
- Ella…
- Ellos…
- Ella…
- Ellos…
- Ella…
- Ella…
- Ellos…
Nota: Los siguientes verbos te pueden ayudar a completar las frases: jugar al ajedrez / fumar / comer / pasear / correr / escalar / escuchar música / dormir / montar en bici-hacer ciclismo / cocinar / conducir / leer
Note: The following verbs can help you complete the sentences: TO… play chess / smoke / eat / walk / run / climb / listen to music / sleep / ride a bicycle-cycle / cook / drive / read
And remember!! Practice makes perfect
Come to practise with Spanish native speakers in our >> Off The Cuff Talks! << be brave and ask them ¿Qué estás haciendo?
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