Gerund
Spanish: AQA A Level, topic 16.14.2
Forming the Gerund
The gerund is formed by adding 'ando' or 'iendo' to the stem of the verb.
AR verbs
- To form the gerund of AR verbs, take the infinitive and replace the 'ar' with 'ando'.
- Bailar → bailando.
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:
Ir → yendo
Oír → oyendo
Creer → creyendo
Construir → construyendo
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:
Pedir → pidiendo
Venir → viniendo
Dormir → durmiendo
Preferir → prefiriendo
Test yourself on Gerund
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