Spanish grammar
Ir, venir and andar + gerund
Describe gradual progress, repeated complaints and gossip with ir, venir and andar + gerund.
From the scene Vamos avanzando (We're making progress)
In short
Ir + gerund: bit by bit; venir + gerund: for a while until now; andar + gerund: going around doing.
Your turn
Which one goes with my money is running out?
Options: me lo vienes diciendo desde hace tres semanas · mi dinero se va acabando · vamos avanzando
Show answer
my money is running out → mi dinero se va acabando
How it works
Ir + gerund shows something happening gradually, bit by bit (vamos avanzando, se va secando, el dinero se va acabando).
Good to know
Venir + gerund is something that has been going on for a while up to now, often with a hint of annoyance (me lo vienes diciendo desde hace tres semanas).
Good to know
Andar + gerund is going around doing something, often something the speaker disapproves of (anda diciendo por el barrio…).
we're making progress (bit by bit) vamos avanzando
Javi
Vamos avanzando, Don Ramón. Poco a poco.
We're making progress, Don Ramón. Little by little.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), Don Ramón. Poco a poco.
Options: Vamos avanzando · Mi dinero se va acabando · Me lo vienes diciendo desde hace tres semanas
Show answer
Javi
Vamos avanzando, Don Ramón. Poco a poco.
We're making progress, Don Ramón. Little by little.
my money is running out mi dinero se va acabando
Ramón
Y mi dinero se va acabando.
And my money is running out.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Y (blank).
Options: me lo vienes diciendo desde hace tres semanas · mi dinero se va acabando · vamos avanzando
Show answer
Ramón
Y mi dinero se va acabando.
And my money is running out.
you've been telling me that for three weeks me lo vienes diciendo desde hace tres semanas
Ramón
Eso me lo vienes diciendo desde hace tres semanas.
You've been telling me that for three weeks now.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Eso (blank).
Options: vamos avanzando · mi dinero se va acabando · me lo vienes diciendo desde hace tres semanas
Show answer
Ramón
Eso me lo vienes diciendo desde hace tres semanas.
You've been telling me that for three weeks now.
she's going around saying… anda diciendo…
Ramón
Además, Elena anda diciendo por todo el barrio que esto no se abre nunca.
Besides, Elena is going around saying all over the neighbourhood that this place will never open.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Además, Elena (blank) por todo el barrio que esto no se abre nunca.
Options: vamos avanzando · mi dinero se va acabando · anda diciendo
Show answer
Ramón
Además, Elena anda diciendo por todo el barrio que esto no se abre nunca.
Besides, Elena is going around saying all over the neighbourhood that this place will never open.
it's been making that noise since Monday viene haciendo ese ruido desde el lunes
Javi
Nada, es la tubería. Viene haciendo ese ruido desde el lunes.
Nothing, it's the pipe. It's been making that noise since Monday.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Nada, es la tubería. (blank).
Options: Mi dinero se va acabando · Viene haciendo ese ruido desde el lunes · Vamos avanzando
Show answer
Javi
Nada, es la tubería. Viene haciendo ese ruido desde el lunes.
Nothing, it's the pipe. It's been making that noise since Monday.
Common mistake
Not vas or estuviste here. Tú (Javi): up to now.
Eso me lo vienes diciendo desde hace tres semanas.
You've been telling me that for three weeks now.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| we're making progress (bit by bit) | vamos avanzando |
|---|---|
| my money is running out | mi dinero se va acabando |
| you've been telling me that for three weeks | me lo vienes diciendo desde hace tres semanas |
| she's going around saying… | anda diciendo… |
| it's been making that noise since Monday | viene haciendo ese ruido desde el lunes |
More lines from the story
- JaviTranquilo, Don Ramón. Poco a poco, se va arreglando sola.Relax, Don Ramón. Little by little, it's fixing itself.