Spanish Progressive Tenses

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In Spanish, the progressive tenses are formed with the present participle, to express in-progress actions in the present, past and future. In English, the equivalent of the progressive tense is the verb followed by the -ing form of the verb.

Examples:
Cassandra está buscando el diccionario.
Cassandra is looking for the dictionary.

Juan estaba esperando por nosotros.
Juan was waiting for us.

Voy a ir preparando la cena mientras vienes a la casa.
I will be preparing dinner while you get home.

The present progressive usage in Spanish:

• The present progressive tense can be used to express an action that is in progress now.
  Example:
  Luisa está viendo la televisión.
  Luisa is watching television.

• The present progressive tense can be used to describe an action that started in the past and is continuing in the present.
  Example:
  Juana está aprendiendo a manejar.
  Juana is learning how to drive.