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

Tú (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

 

Subject–hablar–English translation

Yo (I)–Estuve hablando–I was speaking

Tú (You)(Informal)–Estuviste hablando–You were speaking

Usted (You)(Formal)–Estuvo hablando–You were speaking

Él /Ella(He/She)–Estuvo hablando–He/She was speaking

Nosotros(as)(We)–Estuvimos hablando–We were speaking

Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal)–Estuvisteis hablando–You were speaking

Ustedes(You)(Formal)–Estuvieron hablando–You were speaking

Ellos(as)(They)–Estuvieron hablando–They were speaking

 

Verbs that End in -er

Subject-er Endings

Yo (I)-estuve+…iendo

Tú (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

 

 

Subject–comer–English translation

Yo (I)–Estuve comiendo–I was eating

Tú (You)(Informal)–Estuviste comiendo–You were eating

Usted (You)(Formal)–Estuvo comiendo–You were eating

Él/Ella(He/She)–Estuvo comiendo–He/She was eating

Nosotros(as)(We)–Estuvimos comiendo–We were eating

Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal)–Estuvisteis comiendo–You were eating

Ustedes(You)(Formal)–Estuvieron comiendo–You were eating

Ellos(as)(They)–Estuvieron comiendo–They were eating

 

Verbs that End in -ir

Subject-ir Endings

Yo (I)-estuve +…iendo

Tú (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

 

 

Subject–vivir–English translation

Yo (I)–Estuve viviendo–I was living

Tú (You)(Informal)–Estuviste viviendo–You were living

Usted (You)(Formal)–Estuvo viviendo–You were living

Él/Ella(He/She)–Estuvo viviendo–He/She was living

Nosotros(as)(We)–Estuvimos viviendo–We were living

Vosotros(as)(You)(Informal)–Estuvisteis viviendo–You were living

Ustedes(You)(Formal)–Estuvieron viviendo–You were living

Ellos(as)(They)–Estuvieron viviendo–They 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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