I. Formation of the present participle

In English, the present participle is used when there are two simultaneous actions and both verbs have the same subject. It is a verb phrase that indicates an action and can be accompanied by an object or circumstance complement.

Example :

Arriving at the hotel, I give my name to the reception ==> Llegando al hotel, doy mi nombre a la recepción.

In Spanish, the present participle (or gerund) is formed from the verb stem:

* For verbs in the first group, ending in -AR, the gerund is formed by adding the suffix -ando to the verb stem.

Example :

• Andar (To walk) ==> Andando ;
• Cantar (To sing) ==> Cantando ;
• Amar (To love) ==> Amando

* For verbs of the second and third groups ending in -ER or -IR, the gerund is formed by adding the suffix -iendo to the verb stem.

Example :

• Comer (To eat) ==> Comiendo ;
• Vivir (To live) ==> Viviendo ;
• Correr (To run) ==> Corriendo

N.B :
* The gerund is always invariable.

* For verbs of the third group that contain an -e in their stem (such as PEDIR, DECIR, VENIR, Etc.) see the -e transform into -i.

Example :

• la chica esta pidiendo ayuda ==> The girl asks for help.

* For verbs of the third group that have an -o in their stem (such as PODRIER, MORIR, DORMIR, Etc.) see the -o transform into -u

Example :

• El chico esta durmiendo ==> The boy is sleeping.

II. Irregular present participles

There are only a few irregular present participles. Here are the most common ones:

– IR (To go) ==> Yendo
– PODER (Can) ==> Pudiendo
– OIR (To hear) ==> Oyendo
– CAER (To fall) ==> Cayendo
– TRAER (To bring/take) ==> Trayendo

III. Use of the present participle

The present participle is used to:

* Express simultaneity

Example :

Saludando todos, salió ==> Greeting everyone, he went out.

* To replace a subordinate clause

Example :

– This is a question that interests everyone ==> This is a question interesting everyone ==> Es una cuestión interesando todos.

* To form the gerund (i.e. to underline an action in progress)

Example :

– Riéndose, me contó la historia de su vida ==> Laughing, he told me the story of his life.
– Estoy trabajando ==> I am working.

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