Estoy/Soy with verbs and gerunds

Question

"When you use the verb "estoy" next to a verb -ar -er -ir, it always must in gerund, but if you use the verb "soy", it must go with a noun, adjective, proverb and so on."

Someone told me this when I told them that the sentence below was confusing compared to a sentence using a gerund:

"Yo soy mirar la television." (Confusing one)

compared to using the gerund: "Estoy mirando la television."

Are there any rules that state this or is this person just crazy? Can someone explain the first example sentence. Why is it using a verb? It doesn't make any sense to me.

Answer 1

It's not correct.

It is always: Estar + gerund.

Estoy dándote el dinero.

¿Qué estás haciendo?

Estar can also be used with adjectives, too.

¿Estás nervioso para la boda?

Estoy muy cansado porque no pude dormirme anoche.

In your example, "ver" should be used instead of "mirar."

Estoy viendo la televisión.

Estoy muy" cansado " , - ray76, Jun 7, 2012

Why did you bold "dándote"? It is not a gerund. I am still confused. I am sorry. :( - xktrvfs, Jun 7, 2012

Yes- dándote is a gerund. Remember that you have the option to attach indirect object pronouns (and even direct object pronouns) to the end of the gerund. The sentence could have also been : Te estoy dando el dinero. - BradyLabuda, Jun 7, 2012

Ah!! I see. It is! I see it now, LOL. Thanks :) - xktrvfs, Jun 7, 2012

Answer 2

"When you use the verb "estoy" next to a verb -ar -er -ir, it always must in gerund, but if you use the verb "soy", it must go with a noun, adjective, proverb and so on."

That is right when you use the progressive tense.

"Estar" + gerund is used in the formation of the progressive tense.

The gerund or -ndo form is equivalent to the -ing form in English:

*For -ar verbs, the ending of the gerund is -ando. Ejemplo: Mirar: Estoy mirando

*For -er and -ir verbs, the ending is -iendo. Ejemplo: Comer: Estoy comiendo. Vivir: Estoy viviendo.

Then, we have: Estar + participle: -ado. Estoy cansado. -ido. Está dormido. -to: Está dispuesto. -so: -cho: Está dicho.