Unit 4.2
Verb periphrasis Estar + gerund
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Introduction
A verbal periphrasis [perífrasis verbal] is a grammatical construction made up of two or more verbs that function as one sentence. In these cases, the personal auxiliary verb (conjugated) is joined to another non-personal auxiliary verb with neither gender nor number (it can be infinitive, gerund or participle).
The verbal periphrasis estar + gerund [perífrasis verbal estar + gerundio] is an aspectual construction describing an action present or in progress at the moment of speaking.
Form
The verbal periphrasis estar + gerund is used with the verb estar in the present indicative followed by the verb in the gerund according to the following strucuture:
(Subject +) Estar + gerund + complement + …
| Persona | Estar | Gerundio |
| Yo | estoy | hablando/comiendo/viviendo |
| Tú | estás | |
| Él/Ella/Usted | está | |
| Nosotros/-as | estamos | |
| Vosotros/-as | estáis | |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | están |
The periphrasis is usually accompanied by adverbs or adverbial locutions such as:
- hoy, este mes, últimamente o desde hace unos días;
- todo el rato, siempre, a todas horas, todo el día (para enfatizar acciones frecuentes).
Example
- Yo estoy cansado y, aún así, estoy hablando por los codos;
- Tú llevas una vida sana y, sin embargo, estás comiendo mucho;
- Desde que está viviendo en una granja, tiene fiebre todos los días;
- Ya nos hemos saludado y dado la mano, ahora estamos hablando de otras cosas;
- Siempre estáis comiendo pero siempre notáis el estómago vacío;
- Están viviendo felices y caminan cogidos del brazo.
Use
The verb periphrasis estar + gerund is used to:
- describe a present action that is in progress at the moment of speaking;
- describe a momentary and/or transitory action;
- describe a temporary, non-habitual situation;
- express a progression;
- emphasise frequent actions or situations (with time expressions such as always).
Summary
In Spanish, the verbal periphrasis estar + gerund is a construction that describes a present action in progress at the moment of speaking.
It has the following formula:
(Subject +) Estar + gerund + complement + …
For example
— «Estuve trabajando en Reino Unido durante 3 meses.» = An activity that is carried out on a transitory basis.
Check the contents of the {Form} section. Then move on the {Example} sections, which shows you the usage in context.
Exercises
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