click to return to lesson four
Present progressive tense: Practice stare and the gerund to emphasize “right now, I am doing...”
 
The gerund endings are:
-ire         >         -endo
-ere         >         -endo
-are         >         -ando
 
In questo momento...
I am looking for my book: Sto cercando il mio libro.
You are losing your head: Stai perdendo la testa.
Are they falling asleep?  Stanno addormentandosi?
(or Si stanno addormentando?)
Object pronouns can come before stare or attached to the gerund.
 
Translate into Italian-
 
In questo momento...
Io        
I am sending an email.
I am looking at the mountains.
I am putting the plates on the table. (mettere or porre)
I am opening the window.
 
Tu        
Are you talking about me?
         Are you finishing?
         Why are you crying?
         Why are you laughing?
         What are you telling me?
 

lui, lei, Lei        
         It is raining.
         She is sleeping.
         He is grocery shopping.
         Are you listening to the music, signor Erardi?
 
Noi
         We are looking for our friend.
         We are helping Maurizio.
         We are waiting for the bus.
         We are picking flowers. (cogliere fiori)
         We are playing soccer. (giocare a calcio)
         We are cleaning up the living room. (mettere in ordine il soggiorno)
 
Voi
         Are you deciding?
         Are you calling Laura?
         Are you making the cake?
         Are you going out?
         Are you getting ready to go out? (prepararsi per uscire)
 
Loro
         They are reading the newspaper.
         Are they coming here?
         They are escaping! (scappare)