When to use progressive?

Question

I am trying to translate the sentence "Dancing and eating is one of my favorite things to do"

I'm not sure whether to use "Bailar y comer son algunas de mis favoritas cosas para hacer" or "bailando y cantando son algunas de mis favoritas cosas para hacer"

Is there a difference between the two or can they both be used?

Welcome to SD - Good question. :) - ian-hill, Jul 31, 2017

Answer 1

When a verb becomes a noun like in

Dancing is nice. (-ing form in English)
in Spanish it is infinitive.

Bailar es lindo. ( never bailando)

Comer bananas es bueno por el potasio que contienen.
Saber un segundo idioma te permite conseguir un mejor empleo.
Beber alcohol en exceso es malo para la salud.
No usar un abrigo cuando hace mucho frío puede enfermarnos.
Usar calculadoras no está prohibido en mi universidad.

etc. etc. etc.

Answer 2

Is there a difference between the two or can they both be used?

Hi Lawrence! The use of gerund in Spanish is different than in English. Let's see this: Dancing is fun vs I am dancing

If the gerund is working as a noun (as a subject or object, for example) it will translate in Spanish as an infinitive. In "Dancing is fun" since "dancing" is the subject of the sentence it will be "bailar". In "I am dancing" since "dancing" is part of the phrasal verb it will be gerund.

Answer 3

lawrencek2009 wrote:

I am trying to translate the sentence "Dancing and eating is one of my favorite things to do"
I'm not sure whether to use "Bailar y comer son algunas de mis favoritas cosas para hacer" or "bailando y cantando son algunas de mis favoritas cosas para hacer"

The first way is right. The second way is wrong.

Is there a difference between the two or can they both be used?

No, in Spanish only the first way can be used. The second way, using the gerund as the subject of the sentence, is the way we do it in English, but never in Spanish. In Spanish you can use the infinitive as a noun and/or the subject of a sentence, but you can never do this with the gerundio.

I suggest you click on Language Guide in the main menu, then Articles on Verbs, then read the articles on the infinitive (e.g. bailar) and the gerundio (bailando)

After you do this, if you want to learn Spanish, then click on Learn Spanish in the main menu and do the SpanishDict video course, which is free. I'm talking about the one with the picture of the pretty lady. Her name is Paralee and she is a very good teacher.

While working on the video course or afterwards you can read all of the other articles in the Language guide to reinforce your understanding. Most of these articles have little tests of 40 questions each. It is a good idea to take these tests so that you actively participate in learning process and check your understanding of the topic.

:) - ian-hill, Jul 31, 2017

Answer 4

Cuando necesita buen seguro de autómovil.

When you need good car insurance.

Sassy: Better Call Flo :) Get it? (instead of Better Call Saul) :) - DilKen, Jul 31, 2017

@DilKen I'd rather call Flo. :) - Sassette, Jul 31, 2017