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El Presente Progresivo in Spanish
We use El Presente Progresivo to express ongoing actions in the present.
Look at this example:
In this sentence, we understand that the speaker usually lives in England, however, at the moment of speaking, he is living temporarilly in another country (France in this case).
Read and listen to more examples:
Tú haces natación pero en este momento estás haciendo ciclismo.You (usually) swim but at this moment you are cycling.
You will generally find time phrases that will trigger El Presente Progresivo like:
- ahora (now)
- en este momento (at this moment)
- en este instante (at this moment)
- ahora mismo (right now)
El Presente in Spanish
El Presente in Spanish is used to talk about things that we do more "generally".
Here are some time phrases that express frequency that generally trigger El Presente:
- normalmente (as normal, normally)
- generalmente (generally, normally, tupically)
- siempre (always)
- nunca (never)
- a menudo (often)
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Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
Using the Spanish present progressive/continuous instead of the present (El Presente Progresivo vs El Presente)
Progressive contradiction
This very lesson says that 'normalmente' signals the simple present, the so-called correct answer was the progressive.
Hola Marc
In this test-question using "normalmente", there is a verb in the simple present tense: "funciona" - the tense we are testing here is linked to the next bit.
Mi conexión a internet normalmente funciona
pero hoy estoy teniendo problemas.
My internet connection usually works
but today I am having problems.
I hope it clarifies it.
Saludos
Progressive contradiction
This very lesson says that 'normalmente' signals the simple present, the so-called correct answer was the progressive.
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Ver o mirar
A question in the quiz said “estoy viendo un documental en la tele”. Why would this not be mirando en lugar de viendo?
Hola Kent
You could also say "estoy mirando un documental en la tele", but using "mirar" in this context is not the usual thing in Spain. It is more widely used in Latin America though, so it'd also be considered correct.
Thank you for that insight. My focus is on Latin American Spanish so that helps.
Ver o mirar
A question in the quiz said “estoy viendo un documental en la tele”. Why would this not be mirando en lugar de viendo?
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Sharing info
My sister would like the link to this lesson, she is also a premium member, how do I do this? Ty
Hola Terri
If your sister is a premium member she can have access to all Kwiziq lessons. If she goes to her dashboard, she will see the search box to the right of the flag (right corner); if she types there "using el presente progresivo" the lesson will appear and she can click on it and learn it. She can also add it to her notebook to learn and do the kwiz later.
Saludos
Inma
Sharing info
My sister would like the link to this lesson, she is also a premium member, how do I do this? Ty
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En not con
In ref to this: How would you say "I am studying Spanish with Kwiziq right now"?
My instinct was to say con Kwiziq, not en Kwiziq for the answer.
Can you point me in the right direction so that I can lock that concept down, please?
Maybe you have a lesson already for this purpose?
Muchísimas gracias,
Hola Stuart
Your instict was right, because it is equally correct to say: "Estoy estudiando español con Kwiziq ahora mismo". When we use "en" we are thinking of Kwiziq more as a "place", the same you'd say for example:
"Estoy estudiando español en la academia." (I am studying Spanish at the academy.)
So both options are absolutely right.
Saludos
Inma
En not con
In ref to this: How would you say "I am studying Spanish with Kwiziq right now"?
My instinct was to say con Kwiziq, not en Kwiziq for the answer.
Can you point me in the right direction so that I can lock that concept down, please?
Maybe you have a lesson already for this purpose?
Muchísimas gracias,
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El español o no...
Hola soporte,
En la frase 'estoy estudiando español', ¿por que es no 'estoy estudiando el español'?
I have seen the use of el español elsewhere, so ¡estoy confusito!
Amable gracias
Hola Stuart
We always omit the article when we talk about subjects such as languages:
¿Hablas inglés? Do you speak English?
En el colegio estudio geografía e historia. At school I study Geography and History.
Quiero aprender alemán. I want to learn German.
You may have seen the article when it is the subject of the sentence, for example:
El español es un idioma bastante difícil. (Spanish is a difficult language.)
Me gusta mucho el español. (I like Spanish a lot)
In these two examples, "el español" is the subject on both sentences.
Hope this helps,
Inma
¡Impresionante! It makes total sense. Muchísimas gracias, Inma
El español o no...
Hola soporte,
En la frase 'estoy estudiando español', ¿por que es no 'estoy estudiando el español'?
I have seen the use of el español elsewhere, so ¡estoy confusito!
Amable gracias
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As película is neither a person nor a pet why is ser used.
Hola Rita
There is no verb "ser" in this lesson or word "película" either. Can you clarify what your doubt is please?
Gracias
Inma
As película is neither a person nor a pet why is ser used.
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