Progressive tenses describe actions that are ongoing at a certain point in time. In Spanish, they use the verb estar followed by a gerund (the -ing form).
How Progressive Tenses Work
- Start with the correct form of estar (present, past, future, etc.).
- Add the gerund of the main verb:
- -ar verbs → -ando (e.g., hablar → hablando)
- -er / -ir verbs → -iendo (e.g., comer → comiendo, vivir → viviendo)
- Combine them: estar + gerund
Here’s how hablar (to speak) looks in different progressive tenses:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Estoy hablando | I am speaking |
| Estaba hablando | I was speaking |
| Estaré hablando | I will be speaking |
How do you form a Spanish progressive tense?
Use the correct form of estar + gerundio
Progressive tenses are formed by combining the conjugated form of estar with the gerund of the main verb.
Present Progressive (Presente Progresivo)
- Use: Actions happening right now.
- Form: estar (present) + -ando/-iendo
Example: Estoy leyendo un libro. (I am reading a book right now.)
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Yo estoy hablando | I am speaking |
| Tú estás comiendo | You are eating |
| Ellos están viviendo | They are living |
Past Progressive (Pretérito Imperfecto Progresivo)
- Use: Actions that were ongoing in the past.
- Form: estar (imperfect) + -ando/-iendo
Example: Estaba estudiando cuando llamaste. (I was studying when you called.)
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Yo estaba hablando | I was speaking |
| Tú estabas comiendo | You were eating |
| Ellos estaban viviendo | They were living |
Future Progressive (Futuro Progresivo)
- Use: Actions that will be ongoing in the future.
- Form: estar (future) + -ando/-iendo
Example: Estaré trabajando a las cinco. (I will be working at five.)
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Yo estaré hablando | I will be speaking |
| Tú estarás comiendo | You will be eating |
| Ellos estarán viviendo | They will be living |
Perfect Progressive Tenses
These combine the perfect aspect (completed by a certain time) with the progressive aspect (ongoing process). The formula is:
- haber (perfect tense) + estado + gerundio
| Perfect Progressive Tense | Form | Example (hablar) | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Perfect Progressive | he estado hablando | He estado hablando contigo. | I have been speaking with you. |
| Past Perfect Progressive | había estado hablando | Había estado hablando cuando llegaste. | I had been speaking when you arrived. |
| Future Perfect Progressive | habré estado hablando | Habré estado hablando todo el día. | I will have been speaking all day. |
How do you form the past perfect progressive in Spanish?
haber (pluscuamperfecto) + estado + gerundio
Past perfect progressive uses había estado + gerundio to describe actions that had been ongoing before another past event.
Gerundios Irregulares
Some verbs have irregular gerunds:
| Infinitive | Gerund | English Example | Spanish Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ir | yendo | I am going | Estoy yendo al cine. |
| leer | leyendo | I am reading | Estoy leyendo un libro. |
| dormir | durmiendo | I am sleeping | Estoy durmiendo. |
| pedir | pidiendo | I am asking | Estoy pidiendo ayuda. |
I am asking for help.
Estoy pidiendo ayuda.
Pedir forms the irregular gerund pidiendo with the stem vowel changing from e to i.
When to Use Progressive Tenses
- Emphasize that an action is currently in progress.
- Describe background activity during another action.
- Indicate that an action will be in progress at a future time.
- Highlight the duration or process of an action (perfect progressive).
Common Mistakes
- Using progressive where simple present/past is correct (e.g., Estoy yendo al mercado → better Voy al mercado).
- Forgetting to match estar with the subject.
- Using incorrect gerund endings.
Summary
- Progressive tenses = estar + gerundio.
- Use the tense of estar to set time (present, imperfect, future, perfect).
- Gerund shows “-ing” action.
- Perfect progressive adds haber + estado for “have been” or “had been” meaning.
Progressive tenses help you describe actions as they unfold or highlight the ongoing nature within different time frames.
How do perfect progressive tenses differ from simple progressive tenses in Spanish?
They add haber + estado before the gerundio
Perfect progressive tenses include haber + estado + gerundio to express ongoing actions relative to another moment in time, adding a layer of temporal complexity.
Flashcards (1 of 19)
- English: I am speaking
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
