8.3.1

Forming the Gerund

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Forming the Gerund

The gerund is formed by adding 'ando' or 'iendo' to the stem of the verb.

Illustrative background for AR verbsIllustrative background for AR verbs ?? "content

AR verbs

  • To form the gerund of AR verbs, take the infinitive and replace the 'ar' with 'ando'.
    • Bailar → bailando.
Illustrative background for ER/IR verbsIllustrative background for ER/IR verbs ?? "content

ER/IR verbs

  • To form the gerund of ER and IR verbs, take the infinitive and replace the 'er' or 'ir' with 'iendo'.
    • Entender → entendiendo.
    • Salir → saliendo.

Stems Ending in a Vowel

When the last letter of a verb stem is a vowel, the ER and IR gerund changes. Instead of 'iendo' it becomes 'yendo'. For example:

Changes to the Stem

When a verb has an irregular stem in the 'él/ella' form in the preterite, the gerund follows the same irregular pattern (e→i and o→u). For example:

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9.10Verbs

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