In English, the present progressive is used to talk about actions that are in progress at a specific moment in time, they are used to emphasize the actual moment that the action is taking place.
The present progressive is formed by combining the verb "to be" with the present participle. (The present participle is simply the "-ing" form of a verb.)
Bob is talking on the phone.
Mom is washing the dishes.
We are leaving at 6am.
In Spanish, the present progressive is formed by using the verb “estar”
yo estoy
tú estás
Ud. está
él está
ella está
nosotros(as) estamos
vosotros(as) estáis
Uds. están
ellos(as) están
+ The present participle of the main verb.
A participle is a form of a verb that can be used:
1. With an auxiliary verb to indicate certain tenses
2. As an adjective to describe something.
3. The present participle is in the form “-ing”
-ar verbs add –ando to the stem
Hablando, caminando, cocinando, estudiando, trabajando
-er and –ir verbs add –iendo to the stem
Escribiendo, comiendo, haciendo, viviendo, bebiendo, abriendo
Irregular present progressive
Stem-changing "-ir" verbs:
1. O-->UE stem-changers change from O--> U
i. dormir duermo estoy durmiendo
2. E-->IE stem-changers change from E--> I
i. hervir hierve está hirviendo
3. E-->I stem-changers change from E--> I
i. servir sirves estás sirviendo
Verbs needing a "Y" when faced with an "I" between two other vowels
a. replace the weak "I" with a "Y" in the participle
i. leer leo estoy leyendo
ii. creer crees estás creyendo
