In this post you will learn the Spanish gerund form and use, and the differences with the use of gerund (-ing) in English.
Use:
We use ‘ESTAR + gerundio’ to talk about an action that we are doing now (in this precise moment or in this present period of time).
ex.: Pedro está comiendo. // Marina está estudiando Medicina en la universidad.
The form of Estar + gerundio, is basically the same as Present continuous in English. And the use, when we are talking about actions we are doing right now, is also the same in both languages. ex: I am reading a book. = Estoy leyendo un libro.
However, in Spanish, we don’t use ‘gerundio’ to talk about plans in the next future.
ex: I’m visiting my family this weekend. = Estoy visitando a mi familia este fin de semana.
To talk about plans we use the estructure Ir a + infinitivo. ex: Voy a visitar a mi familia este fin de semana.
»Why don’t you try to make some sentences using ‘gerundio’? Just take a look to the picture above and describe what the people are doing. Ex: ‘El hombre con tres relojes está nadando”. You can share your answers in the ‘comments’ field on this post and we will give you any necessary correction.
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Image: Pinterest. Silly Swim. Highlights puzzlemania.