Present and Past Continuous/Progressive Tenses

To form the Present & Past Continuous Tenses the verb ESTAR is conjugated in the Present and Imperfect Tenses respectively and used with a Present Participle. We will first address forming the Present Participle.

The Present Participle
 -To form the Present Participle usually adds –ANDO to the stem of –AR verbs and –IENDO to the stems of –ER and –IR verbs.
 1.Hablar = Hablando

2.Comer = Comiendo

3.Vivir = Viviendo

-When the –ER and –IR verb stems end in vowels, -YENDO instead of –IENDO is added.

 1.Traer = Tra-er = Trayendo

2.Leer = Le-er = Leyendo

3.Oír = O-ír = Oyendo

 -Stem changing –ER and –IR verbs are adjusted for sound purposes, the stem changes from “E” to “I” or “O” to “U”.
1.Decir = Diciendo                                                                       6. Poder = Pudiendo

2.Pedir = Pidiendo                                                                       7. Seguir = Siguiendo

3.Preferir = Prefiriendo                                                                8. Sentir = Sintiendo

4.Dormir = Durmiendo                                                                  9. Venir = Viniendo

5.Morir = Muriendo

The Present Continuous

The Present Continuous/Progressive Tense is formed by conjugating the verb “ESTAR” which means “To be” in the Present Tense and adding the Present Participle.

The Past Continuous

 The Past Continuous/Progressive Tense is formed by conjugating the verb “ESTAR” which means “To be” in the Imperfect Tense and adding the Present Participle.
Using the Present and Past Continuous
The Continuous/Progressive Tenses is used to state that an action is taking place or is in progress at a particular time.
For example:
Present Continuous
1.Estoy hablando. – I am speaking.

2.Están almorzando. – They are having lunch

3.Estamos jugando futbol. – We are playing football.

4.¿Qué estás haciendo ahora? – What are you doing now?

5.¿Estás yendo para comer algo ya? – Are you going to eat something right now?

Past Continuous

 1.Estábamos cocinando las papas. – We were cooking the potatoes.

2.Estabas leyendo cuando yo salí de la casa. – You were reading when I left the house.

3.Él estaba cantando para su novia. – He was singing for his girlfriend.

4.Estaban caminando alrededor de la casa anoche a las nueve. – They were walking around the house at 9 o’clock last night.

5.Yo estaba viendo la televisión esta mañana cuando llamaste.  – I was watching the television this morning when you called.i

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