Correct Use of the Gerund in Spanish: A Practical Guide

What is this thing called the gerund? That was my uncle’s name, it sounds like my grandmother’s favorite flower, but no, that’s not it. The gerund is actually a verb form in Spanish that may seem puzzling at first, but it’s very simple to understand. It’s a tool that allows you to express actions that are happening in the present moment or actions occurring at the same time as another action. 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to use the gerund in Spanish in a simple and practical way, so you can incorporate it confidently into your conversations.

What is the Gerund in Spanish?

The gerund in Spanish is a verb form that is created by adding the endings "-ando" or "-iendo" to verbs. It’s equivalent to the "-ing" suffix in English. For example:

The verb hablar (to talk) becomes hablando (talking).
The verb comer (to eat) becomes comiendo (eating).

Understanding the use of the gerund in Spanish will allow you to describe actions that are happening in the present moment.

How to Use the Gerund Correctly?

Here we’ll show you how to use the gerund in everyday situations:

To Talk About Ongoing Actions

When you want to express that something is happening right now, use the gerund. For example:

• Estoy hablando con mi amigo. (I’m talking with my friend.)
• Estamos comiendo en el restaurante. (We are eating at the restaurant.)
• Estoy leyendo un libro interesante. (I’m reading an interesting book.)
• Estamos trabajando en un nuevo proyecto. (We are working on a new project.)

To Express Simultaneous Actions

The gerund is also used to describe two actions that are happening at the same time. For example:

• Ella está estudiando mientras escucha música. (She is studying while listening to music.)
• Voy corriendo al trabajo mientras hablo por teléfono. (I’m running to work while talking on the phone.)
• Él está cocinando la cena, mientras escucha un podcast. (He is cooking dinner while listening to a podcast.)
• Estamos revisando los informes mientras preparamos la presentación. (We are reviewing the reports while preparing the presentation.)

To Describe How an Action is Performed

You can use the gerund to explain how an action is carried out. For example:

• Entró sonriendo. (He/She entered smiling.)
• Salió cantando. (He/She left singing.)
• Ella escribió la carta llorando de emoción. (She wrote the letter crying with emotion.)
• Caminaron por el parque, disfrutando del paisaje. (They walked through the park, enjoying the scenery.)

These were just a few examples of the use of the gerund in Spanish, and we hope they are very helpful.

Common Mistakes When Using the Gerund

To use the gerund correctly, it’s important to avoid certain mistakes:

❌Don’t use the gerund to talk about the future:

It’s not used to refer to future actions. Use the infinitive instead. Instead of saying “Cuando termine el proyecto, estaré llamando a los clientes,” say “Cuando termine el proyecto, llamaré a los clientes.”

❌ Don’t use the gerund as a noun:

It shouldn’t replace a noun. For example, instead of saying “Caminando es saludable,” use the infinitive: “Caminar es saludable.”

Tips for Using the Gerund Correctly

To master the use of the gerund in Spanish, consider these tips:

✅ Use it to describe ongoing actions in the present.
✅Employ it to show that two actions are happening simultaneously.
✅Practice with examples to become familiar with its use in different contexts.

With this mini-guide, you’ve surely learned a bit about how to use the gerund correctly. We invite you to keep practicing and studying this language—there’s so much to learn!

As the Greek philosopher Epictetus once said, “Don’t be carried away by the past, don’t worry about the future. Your power lies in the present.” Just like Epictetus, the gerund in Spanish helps you capture that exact moment when things are happening. Keep practicing and stay focused on the now; your ability to speak Spanish will grow with every moment you invest in it!

Knowing how to use the gerund correctly is key to improving your fluency and accuracy in the language. Practice using the gerund in Spanish with these tips, and watch as your understanding and use of the language become stronger.

Remember, at WorldsAcross we’re here to support you every step of the way in your learning journey. Constant practice will lead you to master Spanish, and every little effort will bring you closer to achieving it. Keep going—your future in Spanish starts today!