Present Progressive
The present progressive is used when you express that something is in the process, or with certain expressions. It is usually translated into English as “-ing”.
Basically, when you say “be doing” in English, Spanish requires “estar” and a present participle.
| Estar | Singular | Plural |
| 1st Person | estoy | estamos |
| 2nd Person | estás | estáis |
| 3rd Person | está | están |
To make the present participle…
AR Verbs
AR Verbs need to be changed its ending to –ando to form the present participle.
Trabajando
Estoy estudiando ahora. I am studying now.
ER/IR Verbs
ER/IR verbs change its ending to –iendo as a present participle.
Comiendo
Estoy comiendo unas arepas. I am eating arepas.
Viviendo
Estoy escribiendo el ensayo. I am writing the essay.
Verbs with the irregular stem in present participle.
| infinitive | new stem |
| dormir | durm– |
| repetir | repit– |
| preferir | prefir– |
| pedir | pid– |
| servir | sirv– |
| seguir | sigu– |
| vestirse | vist– |
| leer | ley– |
These stems are also used to form the 3rd person’s plural form in the preterite.