Voy + Gerund tense.

Question

I sometimes come across. People using sentences like voy haciendo, voy hablando etc. I have not come across this tense in grammar lessons?

Is it supposed to indicate future tense like voy + infinative. According to online translators saying "voy haciendo" is identical to saying "estoy haciendo"

Is this true. Is there any diference between them?

Gracias.

Answer 1

I wouldn't try to translate it exactly . Voy haciendo mis planes = I am making my plans. It indicates a gradual, ongoing process of making plans. Still isn't necessarily in there, but it could be based on context. The still in my example corresponds to people that are waiting at a restaurant. With esperar still makes more sense. Ir isn't really set in stone. If I said "voy manejando" it would probably mean "I am driving" but not "I am continuing to drive" so much. I would say "I am (in the process) of making my plans.

Answer 2

IR + ando/iendo = a slow building state of being but is similar to seguir, continuar + ando/iendo which is a progressive movement that indicates a continued action. Los escudos siguen funcionando. The shields are working. Esas personas van esperando. Those people are still waiting.

I knew you would be the first to answer. Thanks. - El_Hitch, Sep 15, 2010

Answer 3

So

Estoy haciendo mis planes - I am making my plans

Voy haciendo mis planes - I am still making my plans

?

I am slowly progressing in forming my plans little by little. - 0074b507, Sep 15, 2010

The verb does not have to be present tense. It can be any tense. - 0074b507, Sep 15, 2010

thanks - El_Hitch, Sep 15, 2010