Progressive constructions

Most intermediate learners of Spanish are familiar with the present progressive tense (presente progresivo), which is the most common progressive construction.

The present progressive tense is formed using the present tense of the verb ESTAR (to be) + the gerund (-ing form) of the main verb, called. If you need a reminder, this is how the -ing form looks like in Spanish regular verbs:

Cantar –> Cantando

Comer –> Comiendo

Vivir –> Viviendo

Therefore, some examples of the presente progressive tense would be:

(yo) estoy

(tú) estás

(él/ella/usted) está             cantando

————————— + comiendo

(nosotros) estamos           viviendo

(vosotros) estáis

(ellos/ustedes) están

Let’s look at some examples:

Los niños están jugando en el jardín. (The children are playing in the garden.)

Mi equipo está perdiendo el partido. (My team is losing the game.)

¿Está escribiendo una nueva novela? (Are you writing a new novel?)

Now, there are other progressive constructions that are used very frequently in informal speech, and are quite interesting:

IR + (-ing form)

Ir haciendo algo implies that the person is repeating the same behaviour at different times, and in different places. For example:

Tu vecina va diciendo que no sabes cocinar. (Your neighbour goes around saying that you can’t cook.)

Cuando se emborracha va cantando por las calles. (When he gets drunk he walks around the streets singing.)

It can also be used to refer to something that is about to happen:

Ya va llegando la primavera. (Spring is about to come.)

Va terminando la función. (The show is about to end.)

ANDAR + (-ing form)

Andar haciendo algo has the same meaning as the present continuous form, in a more colloquial way, and also a similar meaning as Ir haciendo algo, in its first sense:

Miguel anda limpiando el polvo ahora. (Miguel is dusting right now.)

Tu vecina anda diciendo que no sabes cocinar. (Your neighbour goes around saying that you can’t cook.)

VENIR + (-ing form)

Venir haciendo algo describes the action performed by the subject as it approaches in time or space. For example:

¡El perro viene corriendo! (The dog is running towards us!)

La noche viene lloviendo. (Tonight is going to bring rain.)

I hope this was useful. If you have any questions about any of these constructions, drop us a comment!