Can the Present Participle and the Simple Present Tense Be Used the Same Way?

Question

Take the verb "salir," for instance:

Estoy saliendo- I'm leaving Salgo- I leave, I'm leaving

They can both be used to express "I'm leaving," but is there any sort of difference in meaning between the two? Is it that the present participle form is used to really emphasize that the action is being performed right in the given moment? In what cases would you use each one?

Hi here is a vote for filling out your profile , please remember to vote for others , if you give "Best answer " also give a vote . Thanks mate and well done , you have good manners which is always appreciated here. - ray76, Dec 21, 2015

Answer 1

What you are speaking of is the "present progressive" tense in which the verb "estar" plus the present participle are employed as in your example. The simple present tense may be used to state the same idea. Spanish speakers employ the present progressive tense to stress that the action is occurring in the present moment.

This tense however is more limited than its English equivalent. It can only be used to describe action that is occurring right now

English on the other hand will let you use this tense to speak of a future event.

Example: Mr. Romero is giving a lecture in Mayan art tomorrow. Or we are leaving for Spain next week. In Spanish we use the simple present tense to translate the above ideas.

El Sr. Romero da una conferencia sobre el arte maya mañana. NOT "está dando"

Salimos para España la semana que viene. NOT "estamos saliendo"

Just remember, it's for action occurring NOW! OK?

jejeje, best answer with no votes. Who knew??? - Daniela2041, Dec 21, 2015

Oh here you are then F Y S . - ray76, Dec 21, 2015