A2 Spanish grammar

Estar Plus Gerund: Describe Actions in Progress in Spanish

Estar plus a gerund focuses attention on an action in progress around a particular moment. Spanish uses it more narrowly than English uses be plus -ing.

estar plus gerund: Conjugate estar and add a gerund

Match estar to the subject and keep the gerund unchanged.

Estamos esperando el autobús.

We are waiting for the bus.Estamos matches nosotros; esperando stays unchanged.

Quick check

I am working.

Focus on an unfolding action

Use the progressive when the action is actively unfolding at the reference moment.

Ahora estoy cocinando.

I am cooking now.Ahora creates a specific in-progress frame.

Choose simple present for habits and states

Use the simple present for routines, facts, and many states; do not translate every English progressive mechanically.

Trabajo en una escuela.

I work at a school.This is an ongoing fact, not necessarily an action unfolding now.

Common mistakes

Estamos esperamos.

Estamos esperando.

The second verb must be a gerund.

Cada día estoy trabajando a las nueve.

Cada día trabajo a las nueve.

A routine normally uses the simple present.

Estoy sabiendo la respuesta.

Sé la respuesta.

Saber is normally a state and uses the simple present here.

Ready to practise estar plus gerund?

Complete an eight-question round and save skill-level progress for future review.

Practice estar plus gerund

Estar plus gerund FAQ

What does estar plus gerund cover?

Estar plus a gerund focuses attention on an action in progress around a particular moment. Spanish uses it more narrowly than English uses be plus -ing.

What is the first rule to remember?

Match estar to the subject and keep the gerund unchanged.

What is another important A2 pattern?

Use the progressive when the action is actively unfolding at the reference moment.

How can I practise estar plus gerund?

Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.

Continue learning

Spanish gerundForm regular and common irregular Spanish gerunds before using them in progressive expressions.Beginning, continuing, and endingUse empezar a, seguir plus gerund, dejar de, and acabar de to describe the stage of an action.Infinitive patternsKeep the second verb in the infinitive after a conjugated verb and after expressions such as antes de and después de.Complete A2 Spanish grammar courseSee every A2 unit and continue through the course in order.Spanish tense guidesCompare the major tense systems used throughout this course.