Confusion with Gerunds and Present Progressive.

Question

Hi all,

I recently posted a question regarding Gerunds in Spanish which was explained very well. One thing I realised after was that I wasn't sure how someone would know the difference between the Present Progressive, and the future tense.

For example: If I say "mi hija va a la escuela", does that mean "my daughter goes to school" as in she generally attends school. OR, does it mean "my daughter is going to school" as in she's about to head out to school in the near future.

Answers appreciated, thanks!

Answer 1

In English, "My daughter is going to school" can be ambiguous. It can mean that she is on her way to school right now, she will be on her way shortly, she attends school, or she will attend school. Context is the key.

Likewise in Spanish, but I would use "asistir" for "attend" to lessen the confusion.

:) - ian-hill, Jun 18, 2017

Didn't think of it like that. Makes sense, thanks! - Vaderluke, Jun 18, 2017

Using attend would not have the meaning she is leaving for school now. - goospanish, Jun 19, 2017

Attend in Spanish is asistir a. For example, to attend a concert (asistir a un concierto). - NKM1974, Jun 19, 2017

Answer 2

The gerundio IS used with the verb "estar" to form present progressive.

Estamos jugando al fútbol. We are playing soccer.

Los chicos están comiendo ahora. The kids are eating now.

There is a form of the present progressive of "ir"

Ex. Pablo y María están "yendo" a la tienda. However it isn't used very much.

"Van" is used for "they go" or "they are going."

"The forms of "ir"+a+infinitive are used as a sort of future tense. The "going to" or "gonna" tense in English.

Voy a jugar al béisbol mañana. I am going to play baseball tomorrow.

There is a future tense in Spanish where you add endings to the infinitive to get it.

Jugaré--I will play

jugarás--- you will play

jugará---he/she/you(formal) will play

jugaremos---we will play

jugaréis---you(pl. informal) will play

jugarán---they/you (ustedes) will play

There are some irregular verbs with a modified (shortened) infinitive form. One of them is "tener"

tendré

tendrás

tendrá

tendremos

tendréis

tendrán