Progressive · estar + gerundio
The "-ing" tense: estar + the gerundio (Spanish's -ando / -iendo form), for what is happening right at this moment.
Examples
- Estoy estudiando.I am studying.
- Está lloviendo.It is raining.
- Están durmiendo.They are sleeping.
How it works
The progressive expresses an action in progress at the moment of speaking. Form: estar (conjugated) + gerundio (the -ando / -iendo form, like English -ing).
estar in the present — match it to the subject:
Gerund formation
comer → comiendo, vivir → viviendo
Common irregulars
Examples
Spanish uses the simple present, NOT the progressive, for habits and near-future:
I study Spanish (in general) — NOT "I am studying" right now.
Tomorrow I'm going to the cinema.
Object/reflexive pronouns can attach to the gerund or precede estar:
I am eating it. (an attached pronoun adds an accent on the stressed vowel: hablándolo, comiéndolo)
What you'll practise
1. Conjugate estar correctly
Pick the right form of estar for the subject.
- Estoy comiendo.I am eating.
- Están leyendo.They are reading.
2. Regular gerundio (-ando / -iendo)
-ar → -ando, -er/-ir → -iendo.
- Estamos hablando.We are speaking.
- Está viviendo en Madrid.He is living in Madrid.
3. Irregular gerundios (yendo, leyendo, durmiendo…)
Memorise: ir→yendo, leer→leyendo, dormir→durmiendo, pedir→pidiendo.
- Estoy leyendo un libro.I am reading a book.
- Está durmiendo.He is sleeping.
Practise it until it sticks
Short drills built on these 3 skills, with instant feedback on every answer. Free to start.