Is it ever required to use gerunds?

[cb4]

In which instances is it required to use estar + gerund instead of the present tense in Spanish? As far as I know you can always use the present tense instead...is that so?

[wrholt]

It depends on the context.

Using the simple present can allow the possibility that the action or state is not happening right now, and in some contexts failing to use the progressive form may be perceived as indicating that the action or state is in fact not happening right now.

In these contexts the only way to reliably indicate that the action or state is is happening right now is to use the present progressive form. In other words:

(a) "Estoy estudiando español" means that the action that I'm performing at this moment is studying Spanish.

(b) "Estudio español" may be ambiguous in some contexts. It could mean that studying Spanish is an action that I do regularly, but it is not necessarily the action that I'm performing at this moment, and it could also mean that studying Spanish is the action that I'm performing right now. If either interpretation is equally possible within the context, some native speakers may assume the action that you are performing right now is not studying Spanish but something else, otherwise you would have used the present progressive form.

[Julvenzor]

Yes, it's required by several reasons:

As Wrholt explains, it reduces ambiguity and is necesary in order to create coumpound foms and for other cases. Many teachers make the mistake to say "don't use gerunds in Spanish", when they should say "don't abuse of gerunds in Spanish".


1) They are needed (never an infinitive) behind some verbs as "seguir", "proseguir" or "continuar". Also, they change the meaning of "ir" and "venir".

Continuó avanzando.
Siguió riéndose.
Prosiguieron disparando.

Vino a cantar Vino cantando


2) Compund forms = Always work equal to English, but in Spanish they're utilized 20-30% less; especially when referring to future.

"Veía" is equal to "estaba viendo"

"Cantaré esta noche" better than "estaré cantado esta noche".


3) Explicative gerunds = Many times work equal to English, but it's not recommend to use them so much. English speakers and also natives in Spanish make the error to employ them when referring to a future/consequent action. It's never correct.


Abatieron el avión, muriendo mil personas.
Abatieron el avión y murieron mil personas.


4) Specificative gerunds = They don't work as in English. Actually, their equivalent are -nte adjetives.


A pleasure.