5.3: The present progressive
- Page ID
- 415642
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Present Progressive
The present progressive describes actions that are taking place right now. Both English and Spanish use a form of the verb to be and a present participle. This is called a compound tense because it has two parts.
In English present participles always end in -ing.
We are learning Spanish.
She is reading the book.
In Spanish, present participles end in -ando or -iendo. -AR verbs add -ando and -ER and -IR verbs -iendo.
La chica está cantando la canción nueva.
Estamos aprendiendo español.
Están bebiendo café.
There are two types of regular present participles in Spanish. For -ar verbs you remove the -AR and add ando.
bailar bailando
cantar cantando
For -ER or -IR verbs you remove the -ER or -IR and add iendo.
comer comiendo
vivir viviendo
When an -ER or -IR verb has a vowel before the -ER or -IR, the I must to change to a Y. For example
caer cayendo
leer leyendo
oir oyendo
traer trayendo
Stem changing -IR verbs have a single letter stem change in the gerund. For example
dormir durmiendo
pedir pidiendo
preferer prefiriendo
seguir siguiendo
sentir sintiendo
With practice, the present progressive becomes easy and fun to do. So, let's practice.
Prácticas
A. Conjugate the following verbs in the present progressive in the indicated form.
1. cantar (yo)
2. aprender (ustedes)
3. comer (los amigos)
4. escuchar (tú)
5. escribir (usted)
6. trabajar (yo)
7. beber (nosotros)
8. correr (el perro)
9. llamar (los padres)
10. traer (el chico)
11. leer (tú)
12. dormir (usted)
13. pedir (yo)
14. caer (el gato)
15. ir (tú y yo)
B. Change each verb from the present indicative to the the present progressive.
1. Me llamas.
2. Escribo.
3. Miras la televisión.
4. Escuchamos música.
5. Ellos comen tacos.
6. Usted bebe horchata.
7. Hago mi tarea.
8. Escribes un texto.
9. Maricarmen compra una chaqueta.
10. ¿Los compras?
11. Me ayudas mucho.
12. Caminamos en el parque.
13. Bailan mucho.
14. Tus padres corren en el parque.
15. La clase baila.
C. La música. The song Bailando by Enrique Iglesias is a happy song that uses an example of a present participle. Listen to the song. Then, write and translate the present participle you hear. Now, write and translate three more present participles.
D. What is the present progressive? When is it used? How is it formed? Write three sentences in the present progressive.

