What is the Present Progressive?
The present progressive, also known as present continuous in English, is a verb tense that is used to describe actions that are currently ongoing at the moment of speaking.
It is also commonly used to talk about actions that are happening in the recent time period, even if not precisely at the moment of speaking.
In English, the structure of the present progressive is formed using the auxiliary verb “to be” + gerund of the main verb (ending in -ing) as in the sentences below:
- I am studying right now.
- She is sleeping a lot lately.
You will be pleasantly surprised to find out that, in Italian, the structure is the same.
Present Progressive in Italian
How to Form the Italian Present Progressive?
As I mentioned before, the Italian present progressive is very similar to the English present progressive in terms of form. It is composed of two separate parts: the present indicative of the verb stare + the present gerund of the verb.
The Italian verb stare is conjugated as follows:
| io | sto |
| tu | stai |
| lui/lei | sta |
| noi | stiamo |
| voi | state |
| loro | stanno |
And the gerund is quite easy, I must say. Verbs ending in -are form the gerund by adding the suffix -ando to the root of the verb while verbs ending in -ere/-ire form the gerund by adding the suffix -endo to the root of the verb form:
- giocare (to play) – giocando
- lavorare (to work) – lavorando
- leggere (to read) – leggendo
- ridere (to laugh) – ridendo
- venire (to go) – venendo
- dormire (to sleep) – dormendo
Let me give you some examples:
Sto cercando il mio portafoglio.
I’m looking for my wallet.
(Lui) Sta leggendo.
He’s reading.
(Loro) Stanno dormendo.
They’re sleeping.
Cosa stai facendo?
What are you doing?
The only three irregular verbs are listed below:
- Fare (to do or make)- facendo
- Dire (to tell)- dicendo
- Bere (to drink)- bevendo
Cosa stai dicendo?
What are you saying?
Stiamo facendo i biscotti.
We are making cookies.
Marco sta bevendo del vino.
Marco is drinking some wine.
Remember, when you conjugate reflexive verbs you must use the corresponding reflexive pronoun, which, as all pronouns, precedes the verb.
When you deal with compound verbs like the present progressive – that is, verbs that are composed of an auxiliary verb and either present gerund or past participle – pronouns precede the auxiliary verb.
Io mi sto divertendo.
I’m having fun.
Maria ed io ci stiamo annoiando.
Maria and I are getting bored.
When to use the Present Progressive in Italian?
The Italian present progressive is used similarly to English, but with slightly different nuances. It is generally used to express:
- Current actions: to emphasize that an action is occurring at the exact moment of speaking.
Sto parlando con Maria
I am talking to Maria
- Temporary actions: to talk about actions that are temporary, occurring lately, often contrasting with habitual actions that are expressed with the present simple.
Sto imparando l’italiano
I am learning Italian
- Imminent future actions: used when the action is seen as immediately forthcoming. Unlike English, in Italian the time span cannot be expressed.
Abbi pazienza. La pizza sta arrivando
Be patient. Pizza is coming
Notice that when it is used for imminent future actions, the Italian present progressive is very similar to the Italian structure stare per + infinitive, translatable as “to be about to”.
Present Tense vs Present Progressive
In Italian, distinguishing between the present tense and the present progressive is essential, given the fact that their uses reflect different aspects of ongoing actions.
Here I created a table that compares their similar yet different applications, with corresponding examples and translations:
| Present Tense | Present Progressive |
|---|---|
| Regular or Habitual Actions | Actions Occurring Right Now |
|
Mangio la pasta ogni giorno. I eat pasta every day. |
Sto mangiando. I am eating. |
| General Statements or Truths | Emphasis on Temporary Nature |
|
Lui studia spagnolo. He studies Spanish. |
Lui sta studiando lo spagnolo. He is studying Spanish. |
| Momentary Actions | Duration and Ongoing Nature |
|
Leggo subito. I’ll read immediately. |
Sto leggendo da un’ora. I have been reading for an hour. |
| Scheduled Future Events | Imminent Future Actions |
|
Il treno parte alle otto. The train leaves at eight. |
Stiamo partendo. We are about to leave. |
Stai Imparando?
Understanding the uses of the Italian present progressive is crucial for anyone looking to master the Italian language. Learning verb tenses when studying a new language is essential, because they allow you to move in time to express your thoughts clearly.
Its comparison with present tense is also very important: while the present tense is used for habitual actions, general truths, and scheduled events, the present progressive focuses on the immediacy and temporary nature of actions.
Not only does this distinction helps in achieving fluency, but it also enriches communication. Whether you are conversing casually with friends or engaging in more formal conversations, recognizing when to use each tense can significantly enhance your understanding and interaction in Italian.
Embrace these linguistic tools to deepen your connection to Italian culture and conversation!
