What is the difference between the present indicative and the present progressive?

Question

I have found that a lot of times people use "Voy" for "I am going" or "habla" for "he is speaking", etc. when they want to say "Subject + am + verb".

I am confused. I thought if you want to say "you are ___________", you are suppose to use the present progressive form.

Plus, how do I know if a person is saying "I speak" or "I am speaking" if the present indicative is used for both of them, commonly speaking.

Help!! I could use a little guidance on this one! Muchas gracias!!

Sometimes in Spanish there is no difference. - ian-hill, Sep 1, 2011

Be aware that in English we are "in love" with the -ing form (use it much more) than Spanish speakers. - ian-hill, Sep 1, 2011

Answer 1

This has been asked many times if you care to read previous answers. The basic difference is that you use the present progressive when you wish to emphasize that the verbs action is ongoing at the present moment in time.

Please wait, I am speaking with your brother right now.

Espera, por favor. Ahora mismo estoy hablando con tu hermano.

I am speaking at a banquet dinner or Thursday. (present tense (indicative mood) to indicate future time for example.

Hablo a un banquete el jueves.

I speak with a Northamerican accent. (but I may not be speaking at the moment). I am speaking with a Northamerican accent (at this moment) would normally be expressed with the present progressive tense, but the present tense is not incorrect)

Hablo con acento norteamericano. (could be translated as I speak, I do speak, I am speaking)

If you need more contrast there are lots of past examples available. As you might expect, context will tell you whether to use I am speaking, I do speak, I speak. In many cases the meaning is the same no matter which aspect of the verb that you choose.

Answer 2

Queen, have you checked the reference section on this site for the verb tenses?

verb tenses