P r o g r e s s ive tenses
(talking about something that is IN PROGRESS)
1. The progressive forms are generally used when you want to
emphasize or intensify an action; if you don’t want to do that, then just
use the simple present (or simple imperfect).
hablo= I talk or I am talking estoy hablando= I am talking right now
(simple present)
(progressive present)
2. Progressive present- formed by using estar in the present tense
plus the present participle of the main verb.
estoy hablando- I am talking; I am in the act of talking right now.
3. Other helping verbs used in progressive forms in place of estar are;
andar, continuar, seguir, venir, ir. *(worry about this later..)
4. To form the present participle:
AR verbs: take off the AR and add -ando
hablar--> hablando
ER/IR verbs: take off the ER or IR and add -iendo
comer--> comiendo
5. Reflexive pronouns and object pronouns can be placed before estar
or can be tacked on to the end of the present participle. If attached
to the present participle, an accent is required. ándo(se) or iéndo(se)
Some irregular present participles:
leer  leyendo
vestir vistiendo
creer creyendo
dormir durmiendo
ir yendo
pedir  pidiendo
traer trayendo
decir diciendo
servir sirviendo
repetir repitiendo
Some common indicators of the progressive tenses:
ahora
ahora mismo
en este momento