Spanish Grammar – Gerund

They can only modify verbs and not nouns, taking the form of a quasi adverb

Formation
AR – Take the –AR off the infinitive and replace it with –ando
Hablar  Hablando
ER and IR – Take the ending off the infinitive and add –iendo
Temer  Temiendo
Irregulars
There are a few irregular forms
https://quizlet.com/99177626/spanish-gerunds-irregular-flash-cards/
Some patterns also exist
All verbs that end in –llir – Bullendo
All verbs that end in –ñir or –ñer – Tañendo

As gerunds can only modify verbs, in a phrase like “a box containing books”, a
relative clause must be used  Una caja que contiene libros

Uses to modify verbs

 To indicate an action that is happening at the same time as that of the
main verb
E.g. Se fue gritando (She went of shouting)
It should not be used to show the result of a previous action
Can translate as ‘while’ or ‘when’ here
 To indicate the method by which an action is performed, in English the
prepositions ‘by’ or ‘through’ are usually required here
Hizo su fortuna comprando acciones (She made her fortune by buying
shares)
 To indicate purpose as an equivalent to ‘para’ + infinitive
Me llamó pidiendo/para pedir dinero
 To indicate a cause as an equivalent to ‘porque’ or ‘ya que’
Siendo estudiante, tendrá derecho a una beca (Since you are a student,
you will be entitled to a grant)
 To indicate a concession as an equivalent to ‘aunque’
Teniendo el dinero, no quiso ayudarnos (Although he had the money, he
didn’t want to help us)
 When preceded by ‘como’, it is equivalent to ‘como si’

When the gerund is preceded by a verb of perception, representation or “coger”,

“dejar”, “encontrar”, “sorprender”, “pillar”, “arrestar”, “descubrir”
 This indicates an action performed by the direct object of the conjugated
verb
E.g. Vi a una chica cruzando la calle La cogió robando

Verbal expressions with the gerund

Andar + gerund – A frequent activity, possible implication of pointlessness
Ir + gerund – a gradual, slow or painstaking action or ‘to get on with something’
Llevar + gerund – Temporal expression meaning ‘for’
Quedarse + gerund – To continue to do something
Salir + gerund – Involves phrases for ‘come out’/’go out’
Seguir/Continuar + gerund – To ‘go on …-ing’
Venir + gerund – Expresses an action that accumulates or increases with time
Acabar/Terminar + gerund- To ‘end by’

Translating –ing
There are cases where you cant translate an ‘-ing’ phrase with a gerund
 When it is the subject of a verb – This is normally translated with an
infinitive or a suitable noun
Learning a language is fun – Aprender una lengua es divertido
Skiing is expensive - El esquí cuesta mucho
 When it is the object of a verb
When the same subject performs both actions, an infinitive or a noun is
used – She fears having to start – Teme tener que empezar
When different subjects perform the actions, a phrase or a noun is used –
I recommended promoting her – Recomendé que la ascendiesen/su
ascenso
 When the –ing form is used in a passive – This is usually translated with a
phrase or an infinitive
It needs polishing – Hace falta que le saquen/sacarle brillo
 When the –ing is preceded by prepositions – Unless the preposition is ‘by’,
an infinitive or a clause must be used
I prefer swimming to running – Prefiero nadar a correr
 When the –ing acts as a noun, it is usually translated with an infinitive or
noun
Driving licence – Carnet de conducir
Dining room – El comedor