Present Progressive: Uses

In the previous lesson, we learned what the present progressive in Spanish is and how to conjugate it. Now, we need to learn when to use this form.

When to Use the Present Progressive in Spanish

The Spanish present progressive is used to talk about actions that are going on right now. This means the action is taking place as you’re speaking.

Take a look at these examples:

Mi tía está comprando unas camisetas.
- My aunt is buying some t-shirts.
Mis amigos están comiendo y luego van a estudiar.
- My friends are eating lunch and later they will study.
Hoy no limpio mi habitación porque estoy estudiando.
- Today I don’t clean my room because I am studying.

Comparing Regular Present to Present Progressive

The actual difference between the regular present and the present progressive is subtle. In most circumstances, you can interchange these forms - it mostly depends on how you want to express a present action. Let's directly compare:

Regular Present:
- Mi tía compra unas camisetas.
  - My aunt buys some t-shirts.
Progressive Present:
- Mi tía está comprando unas camisetas.
  - My aunt is buying some t-shirts.

How would you describe the difference between buys and is buying? It's a pretty tough thing to describe, but for native speakers, the difference comes naturally. Listen carefully to Spanish speakers to pick up on the situations in which the present progressive might be preferred.

Video Lesson

This video lesson will help you understand how to use and form present progressive verbs. You may want to watch it twice! You will need tu cuaderno (your notebook), tu lápiz or bolígrafo (your pencil or your pen) and maybe tu botella de agua (your water bottle) Necesitas tomar apuntes (take notes) and complete practice activities.

Remember, email your teacher if you have any questions after you complete a lesson. Your instructor is always available to help you and clarify any additional questions you may have before you move forward with your studies.

Video credit: Cyber Profe

Practice Activities

Was this video lesson helpful? Can you say in Spanish she is eating? Do you understand how to form present progressive verbs? Do you remember the ending for AR, ER, and IR verbs for present progressive conjugation? If your answer was sí to all questions, then you are ready to complete the following practice activities.

Take time to practice. All practice activities have unlimited attempts. Practice as many times as you need. When you complete practice activities, you are reviewing the lessons and preparing yourself to move forward in the course!

NOTE: You are required to use information from this course to complete all practice activities. Additionally, fill-in-the-blank activities can be very particular: if an item is marked incorrect, double check that it wasn't something as minor as an extra space or a capital letter in the wrong place!

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