Intermediate grammar guide
Spanish gerund: an action in progress
Use the gerund to show an unfolding action, not as a universal “-ing” form.
Spanish gerunds often end in -ando or -iendo and appear with estar to describe an action in progress. English uses “-ing” in many more grammatical roles, so translating every “-ing” word as a Spanish gerund leads to awkward sentences.
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The idea
Understand the choice, not just the label.
For most -ar verbs, replace -ar with -ando: hablar → hablando. For -er and -ir verbs, use -iendo: comer → comiendo, vivir → viviendo. Some common forms change spelling or stem, such as leer → leyendo, dormir → durmiendo and pedir → pidiendo.
Estar + gerund focuses on an action underway: Estoy leyendo el periódico (I’m reading the newspaper). Spanish also uses the simple present for many current actions and routines, so the progressive is not required everywhere English uses “am doing.”
Use an infinitive, not a gerund, after many verbs and prepositions where English uses an -ing form: Me gusta cocinar (I like cooking); Antes de salir (before leaving). A gerund can also show manner or simultaneous action, but should not be used as a general noun.
| Form / pattern | Use it when… | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ar → -ando | regular -ar gerund | hablar → hablando — speaking |
| -er/-ir → -iendo | regular -er and -ir gerunds | comer → comiendo; vivir → viviendo |
| Estar + gerund | action unfolding now or at a stated time | Estamos esperando el tranvía. — We’re waiting for the tram. |
| Infinitive instead | after verbs such as gustar or after antes de | Me gusta caminar. — I like walking. |
Hear it in a sentence
Examples in everyday Spanish
Estoy buscando mis gafas por toda la casa.
I’m looking for my glasses all over the house.
Los vecinos están haciendo obras esta semana.
The neighbours are doing building work this week.
Hacer has gerund haciendo.
Antes de coger el tren, compramos algo de comer.
Before catching the train, we bought something to eat.
An infinitive follows antes de.
Look out for
Common mistakes, made clearer
Avoid
Me gusta aprendiendo español.
Use / understand
Me gusta aprender español.
Gustar is followed by an infinitive for the activity one likes.
Avoid
Estoy sabiendo la respuesta.
Use / understand
Sé la respuesta.
Knowledge is a state and is not normally expressed with estar + gerund.
Avoid
Estoy leer un libro.
Use / understand
Estoy leyendo un libro.
The progressive uses estar + gerund, not estar + infinitive.
Out in the world
Everyday use
¿Qué estás cocinando? Huele muy bien.
What are you cooking? It smells very good.
Sigo esperando el correo del ayuntamiento.
I’m still waiting for the email from the town hall.
Seguir + gerund can express continuation.
Five quick checks
Try it before you peek.
- 01
Complete: Estoy ___ (leer) una novela en el tren.
Reveal answer and explanation
leyendo
Leer forms the gerund leyendo, with y between vowels.
- 02
Complete: Mis amigos están ___ (dormir) en el sofá.
Reveal answer and explanation
durmiendo
Dormir changes o → u in its gerund.
- 03
Correct: “Me encanta viajando en tren.”
Reveal answer and explanation
Me encanta viajar en tren.
Use the infinitive after encantar to name the activity.
- 04
Complete: Ahora ___ (estar, nosotros) preparando la comida.
Reveal answer and explanation
estamos
The progressive is present-tense estar + gerund: estamos preparando.
- 05
Choose for “Before leaving, call me”: Antes de salir / Antes de saliendo, llámame.
Reveal answer and explanation
Antes de salir, llámame.
Antes de is followed by an infinitive.
Still wondering
Questions about spanish gerund: an action in progress
Can I use the gerund whenever English uses “-ing”?
No. English uses -ing for nouns, after prepositions, and in progressive tenses. Spanish often uses an infinitive in those other roles.
Is estar + gerund the only way to describe what is happening now?
No. The simple present can describe current activity too. The progressive places more focus on the action as it unfolds.