Spanish Grammar Lesson with the Progressive Verb Tense

The progressive tense is used to describe actionstense by conjugating the verb
that are in progress at a specific moment in time“estar” with the present participle. You form
(the present). In English, it is the auxiliary verbregular “ar” presentparticiples by dropping
“to be” and the present participle. Inthe “ar” and adding “ando.” And you
layperson terms, the “present participle”form regular
means verbs with “ing” attached to the end“er” present participles by dropping the
of the verb.“er” and adding “iendo”
The present tense is used much more frequentlyLet’s try it.
in English than it is used inMy grandmother is eating pork chops.
Spanish. As in Spanish, we use it to talk aboutMi abuelita está comiendo chuletas de cerdo.
actions that are in progressThe uncle is working.
“now” or “right now.” But in English, weEl tío está trabajando.
also use the present progressive tenseto describeThe father-in-law is dancing.
habitual actions or to speak in general. ForEl suegro está bailando.
example:The stepmother is cooking the lobster.
I am living in the suburbs.La madrastra está cocinando la langosta.
I am working in the post office.The grandson is doing nothing.
I am taking Spanish lessons.El nieto no está haciendo nada.
In Spanish, the present tense is used toYou are washing the windows.
emphasize that an action is takingplace now. ButTú estás limpiando las ventanas.
many Spanish grammar books do not indicateNow let’s try a few on your own. The
that there is anotheruse for the presentanswers appear at the bottom.
progressive tense. And that the present1.The nephew is selling cars.
progressive tensecan be used to stress that an2.The daughter-in-law is writing a letter.
action is continuous.3.The sister-in-law is receiving a lot of gifts.
I learned this one from trial and error. As4.The grandchildren are playing.
embarrassing as it is to admit,a five year old little5.The cousin is buying a tie.
girl corrected my Spanish grammar. That’sAnswers:
how I found out.1.El sobrino está vendiendo carros.
The first time it happened it happened with an2.La nuera está escribiendo una carta.
adult. I was trying to tell anadult that I am learning3.La cuñada está recibiendo muchos regalos.
Spanish. Since the Spanish grammar books taught4.Los nietos están jugando.
methat the Spanish present progressive tense is5.El primo está comprando una corbata.
only used to describe actionsthat are in progressWho else wants to Learn How to Speak Spanish
“right now,” I did not use the presentlike a real
progressive tenseto say that “I am learningLatin American? Patrick Jackson is the founder of
Spanish.” Because I was not learning SpanishLearning
atthat specific moment. At that very moment, ISpanish Like Crazy. A unique method of that
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Spanish. So I said “Aprendo español.” SheSubscribe today to his Free Learning Spanish
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you’re supposed tosay ‘“yo estoyIf you need additional Spanish lessons, checkout
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Forming the Present Progressive Tenseyou can use in your ezine or on yourweb site
In Spanish, we form the present progressiveFREE!