Abogado/a	Lawyer
Actor/actriz	Actor/actress
Agente de policía	Policeman/Policewoman
Agricultor	Farmer
Albañil	Bricklayer
Arqueólogo	Archaeologist
Arquitecto	Architect
Astronauta	Astronaut
Basurero	Dustman (U.K.) ; Garbage collector (U.S.A.)
Biólogo	Biologist
Bombero	Fireman
Cajera	Cashier
Camarero/a en un café o restaurante	Waiter/Waitress
Camionero/a	Lorry driver (U.K.) ; Truck driver (U.S.A.)
Cantante	Singer
Carnicero/a	Butcher
Carpintero/a	Carpenter
Cartero	Postman (U.K.); mailman (USA)
Cirujano	Surgeon
Cocinero	Cook
Conductor/a de autobús	Bus driver
Conserje de empresa o ministerio	Porter
Conserje de un hotel	Hall porter
Dentista	Dentist
Ebanista	Cabinetmaker
Economista	Economist
Electricista	Electrician
Emfermero/a	Nurse
Escritor/a	Writer
Estanquero/a	Tobacconist
Farmacéutico	Pharmacist ; chemist
Físico	Physicist
Florista	Florist
Fontanero/a	Plumber
Fotógrafo	Photographer
Frutero/a	Fruiterer
Hombre de negocios : Empresario	Businessman
Ingeniero	Engineer
Jardinero/a	Gardener
Jefe de cocina	Chef
Limpiacristales	Window cleaner
Marinero/a	Sailor
Mecánico/a	Mechanic
Médico	Doctor
Meteorólogo	Meteorologist
Minero/a	Miner
Modista	Dressmaker
Mujer de la limpieza	Cleaner
Niñera	Nanny ; Nursemaid
Panadero	Baker
Pastelero/a ; Repostero/a	Pastry cook
Payaso	Clown
Peluquero/a	Hairdresser
Periodista	Journalist
Pescador	Fisherman
Político	Politician
Profesor/a	Teacher
Programador	Programmer
Psicólogo/a	Psychologist
Psiquiatra ; Siquiatra	Psychiatrist
Recepcionista	Receptionist
Secretario/a	Secretary
Taxista	Taxi driver
Telefonista	Telephone operator
Vendedor	Salesman
Veterinario	Veterinary surgeon; vet (U.K.) ; Veterinarian (USA)
Zapatero	Shoemaker; cobbler

The PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSE indicates continuing action, something that was happening, going on, at some point in the past. This tense is formed with the helping "to be" verb, in the past tense, plus the present participle of the verb (with an -ing ending):

• I was riding my bike all day yesterday.
• Joel was being a terrible role model for his younger brother.

The past progressive indicates a limited duration of time and is thus a convenient way to indicate that something took place (in the simple past) while something else was happening:

• Carlos lost his watch while he was running.

The past progressive can express incomplete action.

• I was sleeping on the couch when Bertie smashed through the door.

(as opposed to the simple past, which suggests a completed action:

• I slept on the couch last night.

The past progressive is also used to poke fun at or criticize an action that is sporadic but habitual in nature:

• Tashonda was always handing in late papers.
• My father was always lecturing my brother.

Notes:

1. The written lesson is below.
2. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left.

The present progressive is formed by combining the verb "to be" with the present participle. (The present participle is merely the "-ing" form of a verb.)

I am studying.
I am studying with María.

In English, present progressive can be used to describe what is happening now, or what will happen in the future.

I am studying now.
I am studying with María tonight.

In Spanish, the present progressive is only used to describe an action that is in the process of taking place. It is not used for future actions.

I am studying now.
(use present progressive)

I am studying with María tonight.
(do not use present progressive)

To form the present progressive in Spanish, combine a form of "estar" with the present participle.

Estoy hablando.
I am speaking.

Juan está comiendo.
John is eating.

María está escribiendo una carta.
Mary is writing a letter.

In order to form the present progressive, you must know how to conjugate the verb estar, and how to form the present participle. You already know how to conjugate the verb estar:

estar

estoy
estás
está
estamos
estáis
están

To form the present participle of regular -ar verbs, add -ando to the stem of the verb.

hablar: hablando
(hablar - ar + ando)

trabajar: trabajando
(trabajar - ar + ando)

estudiar: estudiando
(estudiar - ar + ando)

To form the present participle of regular -er and -ir verbs, add -iendo to the stem of the verb.

comer: comiendo
(comer - er + iendo)

hacer: haciendo
(hacer - er + iendo)

vivir: viviendo
(vivir - ir + iendo)

escribir: escribiendo
(escribir - ir + iendo)

To form the present participle of -ir stem changing verbs, change e:i and o:u in the stem, and then add -iendo to the stem of the verb.

servir: sirviendo
pedir: pidiendo
decir: diciendo

dormir: durmiendo
morir: muriendo
poder: pudiendo

Sometimes when forming the present participle it is necessary to change the spelling of a word so that it agrees with the way it is pronounced. We call this an "orthographic" change. Here are some common examples:

caer: cayendo
creer: creyendo
huir: huyendo
ir: yendo
influir: influyendo
oír: oyendo
traer: trayendo
leer: leyendo
seguir: siguiendo

The following examples illustrate the rules for forming the present participle.

hablar: hablando (-ar)
comer: comiendo (-er)
vivir: viviendo (-ir)
decir: diciendo (e:i)
dormir: durmiendo (o:u)
leer: leyendo (orthographic)
seguir: siguiendo (orthographic)

To form the present progressive, simply conjugate the verb estar to agree with the subject of the sentence, and follow it with the present participle.

Juan está comiendo pan.
John is eating bread.

María y Carmen están hablando con nosotros.
Mary and Carmen are speaking with us.

Remember, only use the present progressive for actions that are "in progress." Compare the uses of the present indicative with the uses of the present progressive.

Estudio español. (Present Indicative)

I study Spanish.
I am studying Spanish (these days).
I do study Spanish.

Estoy estudiando español. (Present Progressive)

I am studying (right now, at this moment) Spanish.

It is important to remember that you would never use the present progressive to say something like "We are going to Spain this summer." Use present progressive only for actions that are "in progress."

Let's add two more verb flashcards: one for present progressive and one for practice in forming the present participle:

Verb Flashcards
Complete List

Present Progressive

estar + present participle
I am speaking (right now, at this moment)
Never use present progressive for something that will occur in the future.

Present Participle (-ando, -iendo, yendo)

hablar - hablando (-ar)
comer - comiendo (-er)
vivir - viviendo (-ir)
decir - diciendo (e:i)
dormir - durmiendo (o:u)
leer - leyendo (orthographic)
seguir: siguiendo (orthographic)

FAMILY TREE