Indicative vs progressive (present)

Question

I learned that you should always use the present progressive tense when an action is in the process of happening. However, I was reading some Spanish literature, and they said, "Leo el libro" for "I am reading the book." When is it proper to use the present indicative for an action that is taking place now? I have tried old answers on the forum, but none of them really answered my question (at least where it got through my sometimes thick skull!!) Lol.

Thanks

Answer 1

Present indicative is mostly used for actions that occur regularly: "Nosotros comemos pizza todos los sábados"

For things thar are in the process of happening, like "Leo el libro" or "Vemos llover"

it can also talk about actions that will occur: "Mi abuela viene a visitarme la próxima semana"

less commonly, it can be used for giving an order "¡Vas a la casa de Juan y te disculpas con él por haberle pegado"

also, but not very commonly, it's used for talking about things that occurred in the past, specialy in a dialogue: "Entonces, que llega Juan y le pregunta a María si quería ser su novia"

Back to your example, "Leo el libro" it is more common to hear "Estoy leyendo el libro" in those situations. (Use the verb estar and not ser with a gerund)

Excelente.... - Pablo-Peligroso, Feb 16, 2012

Answer 2

Present Progresive in Spanish is used when the action is taking place at the very instant the comment is made. Its time frame of usage is more retrictive than in English.