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"yo como or estoy comiendo"

"yo como or estoy comiendo"

2
votes

My teacher wants me to write a page from my diary in present day.

As in whats happening now, not what has happend before or is gonna happen.

So my problem is, its weekend now i cant get a hold of her and i need to finish this.

I donno if i should write like "(yo) como" or "estoy comiendo" or like for example "(yo) hablo" or "estoy hablando"

"estoy estudiando" or "(yo) estudio"

What sounds more right to write when she wants me to do it in present.

3956 views
updated May 19, 2015
posted by Fille123
Usually I don't answer to this type of questions, but yours shows you are thinking about it. - chileno, May 16, 2015
Welcome to the forum , we want to help you so fill out your profile If you have a problem PM a mod Bienvenido al foro. Queremos ayudarle, entonces hay que llenar su perfil. Si hay un problema, envíe un mensaje personal (PM) - ray76, May 19, 2015

3 Answers

3
votes

OK, let's see in English

I eat bread.

I am eating bread (right now)

In Spanish besides both being used exactly as above, we can answer with either one to the question of "What are you doing/eating"

Would that help?

Edit for doncruz:

What happens is that context, as always, plays a role

I'm working (this very moment).

I work at IBM (nowadays). = I'm working at IBM (at this time).

Is that clear?

smile

updated May 18, 2015
edited by chileno
posted by chileno
Ok so either way is good? Cus the description says "write a text from your diary in present" and we learned both way so i really dont know which way is the best. As for now i texted in progressive, - Fille123, May 16, 2015
Do not write in progressive as that would indicate what you are doing at this very moment and not what you usually do. - chileno, May 16, 2015
As Chileno notes, the progressive in Spanish is only used to emphasize that you are in the midst of something at the time of the action being described. :) - bosquederoble, May 16, 2015
2
votes

Yo trabajo en IBM. Estoy trabajando en IBM.

I work at IBM (nowadays). I'm working at IBM (this very moment).

So for a Diary, compare the following: Me levanto temprano y me lavo, luego preparo el desayuno. I get up early and take a shower, then I prepare breakfast. Me estoy levantando temprano y lavandome, luego estoy preparando el desayuno. I'm getting up early and taking a shower, then I'm preparing breakfast.

Progressive implies that the action is taking place at the time of speaking.

updated May 18, 2015
posted by doncruz
I guess your teacher by asking you to write a page from your "Diary", she/he wants to see your command of simple present tense, not progressive. - doncruz, May 16, 2015
Read my edit, please. - chileno, May 18, 2015
2
votes

You can use either one if you just want to say generally "I'm eating." If you want to emphasize that you are eating at thi very moment, use "Estoy comiendo."

updated May 17, 2015
posted by Winkfish
I agree - doncruz, May 17, 2015