Past Progressive

Question

Hola,

I saw a lot of example using the past progressive, let's take the verb caminar

Estaba caminando, estuve caminando, caminaba.

I understand that all the forms could mean somehow I was walking. I wonder whether all the three forms are used to express Past Progressive.

Gracias

I don't understand the flagging here... - SonrisaDelSol, Dec 9, 2011

It refers to a comment that he makes later. - 0074b507, Dec 9, 2011

Answer 1

I was walking is the past progressive MOH in your Spanish too.

MOH, please do not personally insult members of the forum. Ian was trying to help. - rabbitwho, Dec 9, 2011

Rabbit, MOH is learning English, maybe he doesn't quite understand what "drunk" means. - SonrisaDelSol, Dec 9, 2011

Ian I have voted for you :) to compensate for an unfair flagging :( - FELIZ77, Dec 9, 2011

I have yet to come across a language where the direct translation of that word wouldn't be a really rude thing to say to someone. - rabbitwho, Dec 9, 2011

What the heck happened here while I was away? :)) - ian-hill, Dec 9, 2011

Thanks for the support rabbit and Feliz.:) - ian-hill, Dec 9, 2011

Ian you are most welcome:) - FELIZ77, Dec 10, 2011

Answer 2

Try doing a Google search before posting here, and if you do ask for help try not insulting the people who give up a large portion of their free time to help people here.

Similar question well answered, found with Google: http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=418333

Well said Rabbit :) - FELIZ77, Dec 9, 2011

Answer 3

MOH welcome to the SpanishDict forum

MOH, here are examples of the past progressive tense. They are formed using the imperfect or preterite indicative of estar = to be and the present participle or gerundio of whatever verb you are wanting to describe the action:

You could say in Spanish: (yo) Estaba o Estuve corriendo. = I was running

(Yo) Estaba o Estuve caminando = I was walking

Estaba nadando o Estuve nadando = I was swimming.

The past progressive is formed using using either the imperfect or the preterite indicative which is translated into English as I was (imperfect or preterite of estar) + chosen verb (past participle) o

The personal pronouns are seldom used by native speakers except for clarification or emphasis. I have only included the personla pronoun yo = I so that you can better understand to whom the action refers.

I hope this helps

If you want further information you could try to do a search in SpanishDict for past questions on this matter.or view the Reference section Here is a direct link to the past progressive forms of verbs.

link text

Corrijan mi español, por favor

Estar + past participle? don't you mean estar + gerundio? past participle of correr is corrido - kenwilliams, Dec 9, 2011

"Walking" is the present participle in English. I guess Feliz was so busy defending me he made a simple mistake. - ian-hill, Dec 9, 2011

Voting - ian-hill, Dec 9, 2011

Thank You Ian :) - FELIZ77, Dec 10, 2011