Apuntes - U2E2

   I  The Progressive tenses - * Must be happening in "that" moment.  English has a broader definition: "I am playing after school."

      a.  The present progressive                    the present tense of "estar" + the present participle:

                                                                                            1.  estoy   11. estamos  >   habl + ando   (talking)

                                                                                            2. estás   22. estáis        >  com + iendo   (eating)

                                                                                            3.  está    33. están         >    viv + iendo     (living)

                                                                                                                                             le + yendo   (reading)

 

             Examples:      Yo estoy bailando ahora.      Estamos escribiendo en clase.   No están leyendo el libro.

 

      b.  The past progressive                     the imperfect tense of "estar" + the present participle

                                                                                             1.  estaba   11. estábamos   >   same as above  

                                                                                             2. estabas   22. estabais

                                                                                             3.  estaba    33. estaban

 

            Examples:   Yo estaba bailando cuando rompieron la pinata.    Estaban poniendo los adornos para la fiesta por la noche.

                               This can only be translated as one thing, to minimize confusion.

                             

                               The imperfect tense can be translated several ways (can be a little confusing)