How do reflexive verbs work in the gerund?

Question

How do reflexive verbs work in the gerund?

Answer 1

In a periphrasic form, usually with estar, the reflexive pronoun may be placed before the main verb (estar) or attached to the gerund of the secondary verb:

Me estoy viendo en el espejo y peinando al tiempo.

Estoy viéndome en el espejo y peinándome al tiempo.

But also:

Vengo haciéndome esa pregunta hace rato.

Thank you so much diagonx. - 0095ca4c, Jun 4, 2013

Answer 2

Although I agree with the others, we should be clear about the use of the word "gerund". The English gerund does not correspond to the Spanish "gerundio". The gerund is a verb form that is used as a noun (the "ing" form). Example: "Running is a great sport". For this utilization in Spanish, the infinitive is used.

The gerundio corresponds more closely with the English present participle, which is the verb form diagonx and gringojrf were speaking of. Lots of confusion arises, because in English both are the same word, differing only in their use.

Good point :) - ian-hill, Jun 4, 2013

English just loves using the -ing whenever possible. - ian-hill, Jun 4, 2013

Great point, and very well said. Though one could tell what the O.P. meant, it was really about the present participle, not the gerund. - rogspax, Jun 4, 2013

a trick I've used is that if you could use in English the phrase "the act of " (e.g. the act of running) then you always use the infinitive. e.g. correr = the act of running; it's another way of understanding the use of the infinitive. - miguelenseattle, Sep 28, 2017

Answer 3

In a periphrasic form, usually with estar, the reflexive pronoun may be placed before the main verb (estar) or attached to the gerund of the secondary verb:

I agree with Diagonx. I am also sure he is correct in his use of the terms main and secondary verbs. It is just that I think of estar in this sense as a helping verb like haber and the other verb (in whatever form: gerund, participle, infinitive) as the main verb, because that is the verb that tells what is going on. Just the way my mind works. I am certainly not a grammar junkie.