preterite progressive in Spanish

Past Progressive Tense in Spanish

Past Progressive Tense in Spanish

Past Progressive Tense in Spanish | Conjugation

It’s time to learn how to conjugate the Past Progressive in Spanish. Study Spanish verb conjugations with online lessons. Read about the Spanish grammar rules.

 ar, er, ir

The Past Progressive is used to speak of an action that was occurring at some point in the past.


The Past Progressive formula:

“To Be” Verb in the Past Tense + Present Participle (ending “- ing”)

 

Verbs that End in -ar

Subject-ar Endings

Yo (I)-estuve +…ando

 (You)(Informal)-estuviste + …ando

Usted (You)(Formal)-estuvo+ …ando

Él/Ella(He/She)-estuvo + …ando

Nosotros(as)(We)-estuvimos + …ando

Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal)-estuvisteis + …ando

Ustedes(You)(Formal)-estuvieron + …ando

Ellos(as)(They)-estuvieron + …ando

 

SubjecthablarEnglish translation

Yo (I)Estuve hablandoI was speaking

 (You)(Informal)Estuviste hablandoYou were speaking

Usted (You)(Formal)Estuvo hablandoYou were speaking

Él /Ella(He/She)Estuvo hablandoHe/She was speaking

Nosotros(as)(We)Estuvimos hablandoWe were speaking

Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal)Estuvisteis hablandoYou were speaking

Ustedes(You)(Formal)Estuvieron hablandoYou were speaking

Ellos(as)(They)Estuvieron hablandoThey were speaking

 

Verbs that End in -er

Subject-er Endings

Yo (I)-estuve+…iendo

 (You)(Informal)-estuviste + … iendo

Usted (You)(Formal)-estuvo + … iendo

Él/Ella(He/She)-estuvo + … iendo

Nosotros(as)(We)-estuvimos + … iendo

Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal)-estuvisteis + … iendo

Ustedes(You)(Formal)-estuvieron + … iendo

Ellos(as)(They)-estuvieron + … iendo

 

 

SubjectcomerEnglish translation

Yo (I)Estuve comiendoI was eating

 (You)(Informal)Estuviste comiendoYou were eating

Usted (You)(Formal)Estuvo comiendoYou were eating

Él/Ella(He/She)Estuvo comiendoHe/She was eating

Nosotros(as)(We)Estuvimos comiendoWe were eating

Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal)Estuvisteis comiendoYou were eating

Ustedes(You)(Formal)Estuvieron comiendoYou were eating

Ellos(as)(They)Estuvieron comiendoThey were eating

 

Verbs that End in -ir

Subject-ir Endings

Yo (I)-estuve +…iendo

 (You)(Informal)-estuviste + … iendo

Usted (You)(Formal)-estuvo + … iendo

Él/Ella(He/She)-estuvo + … iendo

Nosotros(as)(We)-estuvimos + … iendo

Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal)-estuvisteis + … iendo

Ustedes(You)(Formal)-estuvieron + … iendo

Ellos(as)(They)-estuvieron + … iendo

 

 

SubjectvivirEnglish translation

Yo (I)Estuve viviendoI was living

 (You)(Informal)Estuviste viviendoYou were living

Usted (You)(Formal)Estuvo viviendoYou were living

Él/Ella(He/She)Estuvo viviendoHe/She was living

Nosotros(as)(We)Estuvimos viviendoWe were living

Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal)Estuvisteis viviendoYou were living

Ustedes(You)(Formal)Estuvieron viviendoYou were living

Ellos(as)(They)Estuvieron viviendoThey were living

 

Spanish Preterite Progressive – Examples

Let’s look at some e.g. of phrases that use the Progressive Past:


Estuve estudiando hasta que llamaste. – I was studying until you called.

Lo vi cuando estuvimos caminando.- I saw him when we were walking (and then we stopped walking).

¿Estuviste leyendo ahora mismo?  – Were you reading just now?

Él estuvo trabajando hasta las siete. – He was working until seven o’clock.

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