"They are dancing at the party" in Spanish.

Question

I'm using Spanish Verbs for Dummies (Is that a good book?) And the writer has said that the directed translation of "They are dancing at the party" is 'Ellos bailan en la fiesta." Isn't it; "Ellos están bailando en la fiesta"?

I believe Ellos Bailan en la fiesta = they dance at the fiesta - shanama, Apr 18, 2013

while Ellos estan bailando en la fiesta = they are dancing at the fiesta - shanama, Apr 18, 2013

Answer 1

Son iguales tranceslyvania. De hecho, Francobollo lo contestó en tu último post (del tiempo). Es más adecuado usar el tenso progresivo (estar + participio progresivo: están bailando) como pasa la acción. Este tenso le dice al escuchador que la acción pasa en ese momento. La diferencia es pequeña, ¡pero la hay!

They are the same tranceslyvania. Francobollo actually answered this question in your last post (about the weather). It is more appropriate to use the progressive tenses (estar + progressive participle: they are dancing) when the described action is actually occurring. The difference is small, but there is one!

So I was correct in my belief that it is "Ellos estan..."? - tranceslyvania, Apr 18, 2013

Thank you for this information. :D - tranceslyvania, Apr 18, 2013

Technically, you and the author are both correct. You should just remember when it is appropriate to use either tense: in the actual moment = progressive. Other instances = present indicative. - yo_la_tengo, Apr 18, 2013

If you like yo_la_tengo's answer then you should vote for it! - jessicamccall117, Apr 18, 2013

Answer 2

Son iguales tranceslyvania. De hecho, Francobollo lo contestó en tu post anterior (del tiempo). Es más adecuado usar el tenso progresivo (estar + participio progresivo: están bailando) como pasa la acción. Este tenso le dice al escuchador que la acción pasa en ese momento. La diferencia es pequeña, ¡pero la hay!

They are the same tranceslyvania. Francobollo actually answered this question in your last post (about the weather). It is more appropriate to use the progressive tenses (estar + progressive participle: they are dancing) when the described action is actually occurring. The difference is small, but there is one!