Spanish Preterite Progressive - Past Progressive

e Learn Spanish Language
Free Spanish Lessons
Online language learning with Laura K. Lawless

e Learn Spanish Language > Spanish Lessons > Grammar > Verbs > Tenses, Moods, Voices > Compound Tenses > Past Progressive

Menu

Spanish Past Progressive ~ Preterite Progressive

The Spanish preterite progressive is very similar to the imperfect progressive. Both the preterite progressive and imperfect progressive indicate an action that was in progress in the past when it was interrupted by another event. However, the use of the preterite progressive stresses the fact that the action was completed at the time of the interruption.


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.

The preterite progressive is similar in usage to the preterite, but with an emphasis on the fact that the action was completed at the moment it was interrupted. The preterite progressive is rarely used in everyday Spanish.

The Spanish preterite progressive is formed with the preterite of estar + gerund of the action verb.

Progressive Tenses with Object Pronouns Compound Tenses Spanish verb index

Subscribe to the free
e Learn Spanish Language
weekly newsletter

Find Spanish Lessons

Custom Search

Advertise on
e Learn Spanish Language
Options & Rates

LKL's sites
	Learn English
	Learn French
	Veggie Table
	LKL homepage

e Learn Spanish Language