Gerundio e infinitivo: español e inglés (videolección)

Four keys to remember the differences between the gerund and the infinitive in Spanish and in English. The main idea: the Spanish gerund is used much less than the English -ing form.

Learn to use the gerund and the infinitive tenses in Spanish with this free Spanish lesson brought to you by Tilde Madrid Spanish school in Madrid.

Key points

The Spanish gerund describes an action in progress: En este momento estoy estudiando español.
It can also describe an action repeated over a period: Últimamente estoy comiendo mucho.
Where English uses the -ing form as a noun, Spanish uses the infinitive: Fumar es malo (Smoking is bad).
After a preposition, Spanish uses the infinitive: antes de salir (before leaving).

Frequent doubts

How do I say I like swimming?

Me gusta nadar. After gustar, Spanish uses the infinitive, never the gerund.

Can I say estoy yendo mañana?

No. The Spanish gerund does not express future plans. Say Voy mañana or Voy a ir mañana.

How do I say after eating?

Después de comer. After a preposition, Spanish always uses the infinitive.

Part of Spanish Sessions, the YouTube channel of the teachers at Tilde Madrid — more than 3 million views.

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Usos del gerundio y del infinitivo

Key points

Frequent doubts

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