Verb 'Estar' in Progressive Tenses

The verb ‘estar’ followed by the preposition ‘a’ (to, on, at) is used to express that the action is still ongoing: ‘estar a ler’ (to be reading).

To build progressive tenses, instead of using the ‘gerúndio’, as in Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese uses the auxiliary ‘estar’ (to be) + preposition ‘a’ (to) + infinitive.

Brazilian Portuguese ➔ Ele está pensando… (He is thinking…)

European Portuguese ➔ Se está a pensar… (He is thinking…)

We can use this structure with any tense, according to the moment we are referring to.

• Present [Continuous]
  • O que estás a fazer? (What are you doing?)
• Imperfect Past [Continuous]
  • 📅 Ontem estava a trabalhar quando me ligaste. (Yesterday, I was working when you called me.)
• Preterite [Continuous]
  • 💼 Estive a trabalhar a semana toda. (I’ve been/was working all week.)

• Future [Continuous]
  • 🕐 A essa hora estarei a viajar. (At that time I will be travelling.)
  • 🕐 A essa hora vou estar a viajar. (At that time I will be travelling.)
• Present Subjunctive [Continuous]
  • 💼 Duvido que ela esteja a trabalhar lá. (I doubt that she is working there.)
• Imperfect Subjunctive [Continuous]
  • 🏠 Talvez eles estivessem a ir para casa. (Maybe they were going home.)
• Future Subjunctive [Continuous]
  • Quando estiveres a sair, avisa-me. (When you are leaving, let me know.)