TOPIC: THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVEEssential question: How do I

express what is happening right now?

Compound tense

There are a few tenses in Spanish (and English) that are considered compound tenses. There are two parts to the verb

tense/conjugation The present progressive is one of them

The present progressive

This tense is a focus on actions that are in progress – happening right now.

It is how you state what IS HAPPENING right now

Previously, you have simply used the present tense to express this. Juan come una banana.

It can mean “Juan eats a banana,” “Juan does eat a banana,” or “Juan is eating a banana.”

The present progressive

Now, when you want to state what is in progress, you will use this new tense.

How is it formed?

Forming it…

There are two parts – just like in English Estar (conjugated) Present participle (equivalent to the –ing form)

Conjugate estar: Estoy, estás, está, estamos, están… PLUS Present participle

Forming it…

The present participle is easy! For all –ar verbs, take the ending off and replace it

with –ando. Hablar – hablando, estudiar – estudiando

For most –er and –ir verbs, take the ending off and replace it with –iendo. Comer – comiendo, escribir – escribiendo

There are a couple of exceptions for a variety of reasons Leer – leyendo, traer – trayendo (not used a lot), dormir –

durmiendo, decir – diciendo Verbs you don’t really use in the –ing form

Ir, tener, querer, ser, estar, saber (conocer can if used to “meet” someone)

Putting it together…

Remember: Conjugate ESTAR (YOU HAVE TO HAVE THIS) Add the present participle (-ando, -iendo)

I am speaking. – Estoy hablando. What are you doing? -- ¿Qué estás haciendo? We are watching TV. – Estamos mirando

televisión. My friend is eating french fries. – Mi amigo está

comiendo papas fritas.

Try it…

Write in Spanish: Are you studying? Who is singing? Why are you talking? I need to be working. Bob is looking at me.

Check it…

Are you studying? ¿Estás estudiando? Who is singing? ¿Quién está cantando? Why are you talking? ¿Por qué estás

hablando? I need to be working. Necesito estar

trabajando. Bob is looking at me. Bob me está

mirando.

Other things to know

You will use the phrases “en este momento” and “ahora” a lot in this tense.

It ONLY is for things that are in progress. DO NOT use this for future things

“What are you doing tomorrow”….REALLY is “What are you going to do tomorrow?” ( ¿Qué vas a hacer mañana?)

“I am leaving tomorrow” is REALLY “I’m going to leave tomorrow.” (Voy a salir mañana.)

¡Vas a practicar!

Now work on the worksheet assignment Then, work on your presentation with

your group!