Please explain to me how to say "am doing."

Question

I don't mean to say just "doing" but "am" anything.

My chart says that the present tense is used for "I do," "I am doing,"and "I do do."

So, for the verb hablar, "Hablo" could mean "I talk,""I am talking," and "I do talk."

Does this mean that if I say "Intento"it means all three things? I try, am trying, and do try?

Should one always use "ser" and "Estar" to say "am," or can you just use the present tense?

Thanks very much for any help.

Gracias mucho mas para algún ayudarme.

Even though I took a hatchet to that spanish lol.

Answer 1

The conjugations go like this:

Intento = I try
Estoy intentando = I am trying

However, this is only an approximation, for Spanish verbs are not used like the English ones all the time. You need to provide us with a context for an accurate translation, where the right verb and structure is used for the right purpose.

Answer 2

Wow, it took me almost two months to realize that my profile said my native language was Spanish. I apologize for the confusion.

My native language is English and have changed my profile to reflect this.

Answer 3

Oh, thanks for the help you two.

I'm using a spark notes page (some pamphlet thing I bought at a Barnes & Noble) to help me conjugate some of the more common regular and irregular verbs, but it only makes one very brief reference to progressive tenses.

"PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE
The present progressive tense describes action that is taking place exactly at the time of expresson. It is formed by using the verb estar, conjugated in the present tense, along with the present participle (gerundio) of the verb of action.

Estoy hablando con Ana ahorita. (I am talking to ana right now.)"

I didn't realize that the term I was looking for was progressive tense until you guys said "intentando," "tomando," "comprendiendo," "abriendo." I think I get it now. Thanks again for the help you guys.

So if I wanted to say I am trying to learn spanish, one way I could say it would be "Estoy intentando aprender español'"
Would I only be able to say this if someone asked me what I'm doing right now? As in, if I were studying Spanish vocabulary and someone asked me "what are you doing'" I would say, Estoy intentando aprender español.

Thanks for helping me find the term I was looking for, I'm sure I can find more info on websites about present progressive tenses, even though I think the two of you have explained them well enough already. You've both been a great help.

Answer 4

Hola!

I don't know if this helps but my book has present progressive.

It is for when you are explaining what you are doing at the present moment. Like when you are talking on the phone and explaining what you are doing.

ar verbs - ando
er, ir verbs - iendo

Examples:

(AR)
Tomar - tomando (Taking a drink)

(ER)
Comprender - comprendiendo (Understanding)

(IR)
Abrir - abriendo (Opening)

Hope that helps. Oh yeah, use estar for this tense. (estoy tomando)

Answer 5

"I do" is present tense; "I am doing" is present continuous. Different tenses.

What is your native tongue, by the way?

Thanks.

I speak English.

Can you give an example for the conjugation of a verb for both the present and present continuous tenses? My chart doesn't seem to include the continuous one aside from a side note about progressive tenses. For example, I am trying, and I try'

Answer 6

"I do" is present tense; "I am doing" is present continuous. Different tenses.

What is your native tongue, by the way'