34.1 Preterite Progressive
Now that we've covered the present progressive, we'll provide a brief overview of the rest of the progressive tenses. Each one emphasizes that an action is in progress at different points in time. We'll begin with the preterite progressive.
The Preterite Progressive
The preterite progressive indicates an action or event that was in progress during the past but came to a stop or was interrupted and stopped.
To create this tense, we will pair the present participle of a verb with estar in the preterite tense:
Example:
Estuve escribiendo en mi diario cuando tú entraste.
I was writing in my diary when you came in.
34.2 Imperfect Progressive
The Imperfect Progressive
The imperfect progressive indicates an action or event that was in progress during a period of time in the past and, often, that was interrupted by another action.
To create this tense, we will pair the present participle of a verb with estar in the imperfect tense:
Example:
Cuando Paula llegó a la fiesta, Susana y yo estábamos hablando.
When Paula arrived at the party, Susana and I were talking.
34.3 Future Progressive
The Future Progressive
The future progressive indicates an action or event that will be in progress at some time in the future.
To create this tense, we will pair the present participle of a verb with estar in the future tense:
Example:
Mañana comienzan nuestras vacaciones; a la mañana estaremos saliendo para la playa.
Our vacation begins tomorrow; in the morning we will be leaving for the beach.
34.4 Conditional Progressive
The Conditional Progressive
The conditional progressive indicates an action or event that would be in progress under some (at the moment unfulfilled) condition.
To create this tense, we will pair the present participle of a verb with estar in the conditional:
Example:
Ya estaría descansando en la playa si no fuera por la ruta que elegiste.
I would be resting on the beach already if it weren't for the route you chose.
Practice Time!
Master these verb conjugations from Lesson 34