6.7 Introducción: ¿Estás estudiando ahora?

¡Sí puedo! Can-Do Statements

Review and practice the usage of all question words.

Use the present progressive to talk about actions ongoing in the present moment.

Distinguish the different ways to say “to be” in Spanish.

When we talk about the present, people often refer to their present life using the present tense: “I work at the supermarket.” However, there is another verb tense for the continuous present, called the present progressive tense, which is used to create a greater sense of continuity or ongoing action.

In English, the present progressive tense* (or present continuous tense– it’s the same thing) is formed by combining the verb “to be” with the present participle: for instance, “I am working.” Therefore:

  • Present tense: I work
  • Present progressive: I am working

In Spanish, the present progressive tense functions similarly:

  • Present tense: Trabajo
  • Present progressive: Estoy trabajando

Note: Spanish always uses the verb estar with the present progressive. We will discuss that more in the section that follows.

*For more on the present progressive tense in English, see the entry on Advanced Verb Tenses in the Guide to Writing

 

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