Spanish grammar
Seguir / continuar + gerund, llevar + gerund
Say how long something has been going on, and that you keep doing it.
From the scene Sigue caminando (Keep walking)
In short
Seguir or continuar + gerund means keep doing. Llevar + gerund + time says how long: llevo esperando dos horas.
Your turn
Which one goes with keep walking! (tú)?
Options: llevas caminando · continúo / sigo caminando · ¡sigue caminando!
Show answer
keep walking! (tú) → ¡sigue caminando!
How it works
Seguir or continuar + gerund means "to keep (on) doing": sigo esperando, continúo caminando.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Sí, (blank) caminando hasta que él diga «corten».
Clue: yo (Nuria talks about herself)
Options: continúas · continúo · continúa
Show answer
Sí, continúo caminando hasta que él diga «corten».
Yes, I keep walking until he says 'cut'.
Good to know
Llevar + gerund + a length of time says how long something has been going on: llevo esperando dos horas (I have been waiting for two hours).
you've been walking (for...) llevas caminando
Javi
Nuria, ¡llevas caminando por esta plaza media hora!
Nuria, you've been walking around this square for half an hour!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Nuria, ¡(blank) por esta plaza media hora!
Options: sigue caminando · sigo caminando · llevas caminando
Show answer
Javi
Nuria, ¡llevas caminando por esta plaza media hora!
Nuria, you've been walking around this square for half an hour!
keep walking! (tú) ¡sigue caminando!
Your turn
What goes with ¡sigue caminando!?
Options: you've been walking (for...) · I keep walking · keep walking! (tú)
Show answer
¡sigue caminando! → keep walking! (tú)
I keep walking continúo / sigo caminando
Nuria
Si sigo caminando un poco más, ¡llego a mi pueblo andando!
If I keep walking a bit more, I'll reach my village on foot!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Si (blank) un poco más, ¡llego a mi pueblo andando!
Options: sigue caminando · sigo caminando · llevas caminando
Show answer
Nuria
Si sigo caminando un poco más, ¡llego a mi pueblo andando!
If I keep walking a bit more, I'll reach my village on foot!
I've been waiting two hours llevo esperando dos horas
Javi
Sí. Yo llevo esperando dos horas con la comida.
Yes. I've been waiting two hours with the food.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Sí. Yo (blank) con la comida.
Options: sigue caminando · llevo esperando dos horas · llevas caminando
Show answer
Javi
Sí. Yo llevo esperando dos horas con la comida.
Yes. I've been waiting two hours with the food.
I keep waiting sigo esperando
Javi
Ya lo sé, pero sigo esperando igualmente.
I know, but I keep waiting anyway.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Ya lo sé, pero (blank) igualmente.
Options: sigue caminando · sigo esperando · llevas caminando
Show answer
Javi
Ya lo sé, pero sigo esperando igualmente.
I know, but I keep waiting anyway.
Common mistake
Not llevo or lleva here. Tú (Javi talks to Nuria).
Nuria, ¡llevas caminando por esta plaza media hora!
Nuria, you've been walking around this square for half an hour!
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
| you've been walking (for...) | llevas caminando |
|---|---|
| keep walking! (tú) | ¡sigue caminando! |
| I keep walking | continúo / sigo caminando |
| I've been waiting two hours | llevo esperando dos horas |
| I keep waiting | sigo esperando |
More lines from the story
- NuriaSí, continúo caminando hasta que él diga «corten».Yes, I keep walking until he says 'cut'.
- Javi¿Y tú sigues caminando sin parar?And you keep walking without stopping?