Imperfect Progressive

imperfect indicative conjugation of estar + present participle of verb = imperfect progressive

The present participle (gerund) is formed with the stem of the verb plus -ando (for -ar verbs) or -iendo (for -er and -ir verbs). For example:

hablar  ---> hablando (talking)
comer  ---> comiendo (eating)
vivir  ---> viviendo (living)

Example: the present participle of hablar (to speak) is hablando. The table below shows the conjugation of estar and the proper formation of the imperfect progressive:

hablar (example sentences)(full conjugation)

    
yo
    
estaba hablando
    
(I was talking)


    
tú
    
estabas hablando
    
(you were talking)


    
él/ella/ Ud.
    
estaba hablando
    
(he/she/you were talking)


    
nosotros (as)
    
estábamos hablando
    
(we were talking)


    
vosotros (as)
    
estabais hablando
    
(you guys were talking)


    
ellos/ ellas/
 Uds.
    
estaban hablando
    
(you all/they were talking)

The imperfect progressive is similar in usage to the imperfect, but with an emphasis on the fact that the action was in progress at the moment it was interrupted.

Lo vi cuando estábamos volviendo. - I saw him when we were returning.

Estaba caminando cuando llamaste. - I was walking when you called.

¿Estabas comiendo ahora mismo? - Were you eating just now?

Él estaba leyendo a las cinco. - He was reading at five o'clock.