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Questions and Answers
What is the Present Continuous tense used to describe?
An action that is in process at the moment we are talking.
How is the English form of the Present Continuous tense constructed?
The verb TO BE followed by the Gerund of the verb (ing).
How do you conjugate the Present Continuous tense in Spanish for regular -ar verbs?
Estar + present participle (ando)
What is the difference between using the Present Continuous tense in English and Spanish?
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How do you form the Present Continuous tense for radical changing verbs that end in -ir?
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Where do you place the reflexive pronoun in Reflexive Verbs in the Present Continuous tense?
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What is the function of the accent on the á or é in Reflexive Verbs in the Present Continuous tense?
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How do you form the Present Continuous tense for verbs that change 'i' to 'y', such as caer?
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Study Notes
The Present Continuous Tense
- The Present Continuous Tense is a verb form that describes an action that is happening at the moment of speaking.
- It is constructed using the verb "to be" (estar) followed by the present participle/gerund (-ing) of the main verb.
Conjugation of the Present Continuous Tense
- Estar (to be) is used as the helping verb, followed by the present participle/gerund of the main verb.
- Conjugation of estar:
- Estoy (I)
- Estás (you)
- Está (he/she/it)
- Estamos (we)
- Estáis (you plural)
- Están (they)
Formation of the Present Participle/Gerund
- -ar verbs: add -ando to the verb stem (e.g., hablar → hablando)
- -er/-ir verbs: add -iendo to the verb stem (e.g., comer → comiendo)
- Irregular verbs: have specific changes (e.g., dormir → durmiendo, pedir → pidiendo)
Usage of the Present Continuous Tense
- It is used to describe an action that is in progress at the moment of speaking.
- It cannot be used to describe future actions (e.g., I am working tomorrow).
- In Spanish, the expression "ir + a + infinitive" can be used to refer to the near future (e.g., Voy a trabajar mañana).
Reflexive Verbs
- Reflexive pronouns are usually attached to the end of the gerund and the gerund gets a written accent on the á or the é.
- Reflexive pronouns can also be placed before the verb "estar" in the continuous tenses.
- Examples: Estoy duchándome, Está levantándose, Estás vistiéndote.
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Description
Learn about the present continuous tense, its usage, and conjugation rules. Understand how to express continuing actions in the present tense with the verb TO BE and the gerund.
