Using the Progressives
Note: What were you doing?
What are you doing?
What will you be doing?
Juan está pagando la cuenta.
 Notice that you conjugate the first verb,
the helping verb.
 ESTAR is conjugated. It is the helping
verb.
 Then, you add the present participle (--ing
word) of the main verb.
 Pagar is not conjugated. Use the participle
of the main verb.
 AR verbs use –ando.
 ER verbs use –iendo.
 IR verbs use –iendo.
Most verbs follow this
pattern.
Form AR participle
Form ER/IR participle
 Start with the infinitive,
ENTRAR.
 Start with infinitive,
COMER or VIVIR.
 Drop the AR, ENTR-.
 Drop the ER or IR, COMor VIV-.
 Add –ando, ENTRANDO.
 Add –iendo, COMIENDO
or VIVIENDO.
In Spanish, you use the verb
estar (to be) along with the
-ando or -iendo form of a verb.
AR verbs: -ando
ER & IR verbs: -iendo
 Now you try it.
Conjugate the verb estar
first. Make sure you are
conjugating for the
correct person (I, you,
he/she, we, they).
 Now, add the –ing verb
in the participle form.
Present Progressive Tense
 Begin by
conjugating ESTAR
in the present
tense.
estoy
estás
está
estamos
están
 Now, add the
participle of the
main verb.
 Be sure to
remember any
irregular verbs like
IR, LEER, TRAER,
etc.
Try these:
We are buying a new house.
You are not studying enough!
He is eating already.
Past Progressive Tense
 Begin by
conjugating ESTAR
in the past tense.
estaba
estábas
estába
estabamos
estában
 Now, add the
participle of the
main verb.
 Be sure to
remember any
irregular verbs like
IR, LEER, TRAER,
etc.
Try these:
I was taking the test.
She was taking the test.
They were playing soccer.
Future Progressive Tense
 Begin by
conjugating ESTAR
in the future.
estaré
estarás
estará
estaremos
estarán
 Now, add the
participle of the
main verb.
 Be sure to
remember any
irregular verbs like
IR, LEER, TRAER,
etc.
Try these:
They will be drinking their sodas.
She will be talking to her
boyfriend.
You will be giving a party next
week.