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Questions and Answers
What is the main function of the Present Continuous Tense?
What is the main function of the Present Continuous Tense?
What is the correct form of the verb 'hablar' in the Present Continuous Tense?
What is the correct form of the verb 'hablar' in the Present Continuous Tense?
What is the correct way to express the near future in Spanish?
What is the correct way to express the near future in Spanish?
What happens to the verb 'vestir' in the Present Continuous Tense?
What happens to the verb 'vestir' in the Present Continuous Tense?
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Where is the reflexive pronoun usually placed in Reflexive Verbs in the Present Continuous Tense?
Where is the reflexive pronoun usually placed in Reflexive Verbs in the Present Continuous Tense?
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What is the correct form of the verb 'traer' in the Present Continuous Tense?
What is the correct form of the verb 'traer' in the Present Continuous Tense?
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What is the correct way to express 'I am learning Spanish' in Spanish?
What is the correct way to express 'I am learning Spanish' in Spanish?
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What is the correct form of the verb 'leer' in the Present Continuous Tense?
What is the correct form of the verb 'leer' in the Present Continuous Tense?
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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 in Spanish, its construction, and conjugation. Understand how to use the verb 'estar' with the present participle/gerund of the main verb.
