Verb Estar in progressive tenses

Question

Hi everyone

I am confused a bit about the verb Estar. I read the usage of Estar verb here and they said Estar is used with the progressive tenses (http://www.studyspanish.com/lessons/serest3.htm)

And here is the example:

¿Qué estás comiendo? What are you eating?

Estoy comiendo arroz y frijoles. I am eating rice and beans.

Now I am confused since from what I learn, the present tense in Spanish can also use as Progressive tense. It means Yo como arroz could be mean I eat rice and I am eating rice. Now turns out there is a usage for progressive tense. I wanna cry :-((((

Answer 1

In a sense, it's widely accepted to use the present simple form for temporary actions.

1. ¿Qué comes ahora? ~ instead of asking ¿Qué estás comiendo ahora?
2. Yo como arroz ~ instead of saying Yo estoy comiendo arroz.

The nuances work differently in English. Present simple and present continuous are targeted with different ones.

In Spanish, the continuous form is used when there's clear evidence of an action being done, but sometimes even if we're watching the continuity of the action, we just use the simple form.

:) - FELIZ77, Aug 10, 2016

I don't know why I did not see they list this tense when I were searching for Spanish tenses. So you reckon we won't use a lot of this and just simply use the present form as progressive ? - danghuynh, Aug 10, 2016

It's not my case, really. I've heard of a lot of people using the simple form with a continuous use, but I stand for using the continuous form when it really comes to speaking appropriately. - Oshnaj, Aug 10, 2016

gracias !!! :-) - danghuynh, Aug 12, 2016

Answer 2

The Spanish use the "present progressive" tense ONLY to give emphasis to action that is going on in the moment.

EX. Ahorita estoy comiendo tacos y escribiendo mi respuesta en SD.

Right now I am eating tacos and writing my answer in SD

English uses the present progressive to express a future idea.

Ex. Mr. Gómez is giving a lecture tomorrow.

In Spanish we can use one of the future tenses, or just the simple present.

(Near future) El Sr. Gómez va a dar una conferencia mañana.

(Future) El Sr. Gómez dará una conferencia mañana.

(Simple present) El Señor Gómez da una conferencia mañana.

To form the present progressive, you simply employ the present tense forms of "estar" plus the present participle of the action verb. (present participles are formed by dropping the "ar" "er" or "ir" ending of the infinitive and replacing with "ando" for "ar" verbs and "iendo" and sometimes "yendo" for the "er" and "ir" verbs. There are some irregular verbs, but you'll learn them in your future lessons.

Mil gracias, amiga. :) - rac1, Aug 11, 2016

Hi thanks Daniela, so if I want to tell my friend I am learning Spanish ( at the moment, not right now) can I just say "Estoy estudiando Espanol" or I just say " estudio Espanol " ?? - danghuynh, Aug 12, 2016

Both are used, but "estudio español" is the correct one because you are probably not studying at this very moment. - Daniela2041, Aug 12, 2016

That is--right now.! - Daniela2041, Aug 12, 2016

Answer 3

Maybe this will help. If you are going to cry, I'll join you, especially if I can't help you. lol

Progressive tense

thanks mate, at least I am not flighting on my own. it just annoys me so much there will always be something coming after I though I already make it clear myself - danghuynh, Aug 10, 2016