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.

EstarSingularPlural
1st Personestoyestamos
2nd Personestásestáis
3rd Personestáestán

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.

infinitivenew stem
dormirdurm
repetirrepit
preferirprefir
pedirpid
servirsirv
seguirsigu
vestirsevist
leerley

These stems are also used to form the 3rd person’s plural form in the preterite.