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Tense guide
Gerundio (Gerund (Present Participle))

Language: Spanish
Tense:

Introduction

The Spanish "Gerundio" is the verb form that usually ends in -ando or -iendo. It is similar to the "-ing" form in English, but it is used in more specific ways. The Gerundio describes an action in progress or the way an action is performed.

Important: Unlike English, you cannot use the Gerundio as a noun (like in "Reading is fun") or as an adjective (like in "the running man"). It is only used to describe actions.

The most common use is with the verb *estar* to describe an action that is happening right now or at a specific moment in time. This shows that the action is in progress.

Mis padres están cocinando ahora.
(My parents are cooking now.)
¿Qué estás haciendo?
(What are you doing?)
Yo no te puedo ayudar, estoy trabajando.
(I can't help you, I am working.)
Los niños están jugando en el parque.
(The children are playing in the park.)
Cuando llamaste, yo estaba durmiendo.
(When you called, I was sleeping.)
El teléfono está sonando.
(The phone is ringing.)

You can use the Gerundio by itself to explain how an action is done. It answers the question "How"? and often translates to "by -ing" in English.

Ella aprende mucho leyendo libros.
(She learns a lot by reading books.)
Mejoré mi español practicando cada día.
(I improved my Spanish by practicing every day.)
Él llegó a la oficina corriendo.
(He arrived at the office running.)
Pasamos la tarde caminando por la playa.
(We spent the afternoon walking on the beach.)

To describe an action that continues or is still happening, you can use verbs like *seguir* or *continuar* with the Gerundio.

Él sigue viviendo en la misma casa.
(He is still living in the same house.)
¿Todavía sigues trabajando allí?
(Are you still working there?)
Ella continúa estudiando para su examen.
(She continues studying for her exam.)

To show an action that is developing slowly or gradually over time, you can use the verb *ir* with the Gerundio.

Poco a poco, voy entendiendo las reglas.
(Little by little, I am starting to understand the rules.)
La tecnología va cambiando muy rápido.
(Technology is gradually changing very fast.)

The Gerundio can describe a second action that happens at the same time as another action. It connects two simultaneous activities.

Me gusta escuchar música haciendo ejercicio.
(I like to listen to music while exercising.)
Él me contó la historia sonriendo.
(He told me the story while smiling.)

Conjugation patterns