Portuguese Gerunds and Their Usage

Introduction

Portuguese gerunds are essential verbal forms that express ongoing actions, simultaneous events, and progressive states. Understanding how to use gerunds correctly will significantly enhance your fluency and help you sound more natural when speaking or writing in Portuguese. This comprehensive guide explores the formation, usage, and nuances of gerunds in Brazilian Portuguese.

What Are Gerunds in Portuguese?

A gerúndio (gerund) in Portuguese is a verb form that typically corresponds to the English -ing form. The gerúndio expresses actions that are in progress, happening simultaneously with another action, or describing the manner in which something occurs. Unlike English, where gerunds can function as nouns, Portuguese gerunds primarily serve as verbs or adverbs.

In Portuguese, the gerúndio is formed by removing the infinitive ending and adding specific suffixes. This verb form is crucial for expressing continuous actions and creating more sophisticated sentence structures. Mastering gerunds will allow you to describe ongoing situations, explain how actions unfold, and connect ideas more fluidly in your Portuguese communication.

How to Form Portuguese Gerunds

Forming gerunds in Portuguese follows a straightforward pattern based on the verb’s infinitive ending. There are three main conjugation groups in Portuguese, and each has its own gerúndio formation rule.

Regular Gerund Formation

For -ar verbs, remove the -ar ending and add -ando:
falar (to speak) → falando (speaking)
estudar (to study) → estudando (studying)
trabalhar (to work) → trabalhando (working)
cantar (to sing) → cantando (singing)

For -er verbs, remove the -er ending and add -endo:
comer (to eat) → comendo (eating)
beber (to drink) → bebendo (drinking)
vender (to sell) → vendendo (selling)
correr (to run) → correndo (running)

For -ir verbs, remove the -ir ending and add -indo:
partir (to leave) → partindo (leaving)
dormir (to sleep) → dormindo (sleeping)
abrir (to open) → abrindo (opening)
decidir (to decide) → decidindo (deciding)

Irregular Gerunds

Some Portuguese verbs have irregular gerúndio forms that don’t follow the standard patterns. These must be memorized:

Pôr (to put) → pondo (putting)
This is one of the most common irregular gerunds you’ll encounter. Example: Ele está pondo a mesa (He is setting the table).

Vir (to come) → vindo (coming)
Despite being an -ir verb, vir has an irregular stem. Example: Eles estão vindo para a festa (They are coming to the party).

Ter (to have) → tendo (having)
This irregular form is frequently used in compound tenses. Example: Tendo tempo, eu vou ajudar (Having time, I will help).

Using Gerunds with Estar: The Present Continuous

The most common use of gerunds in Portuguese is with the verb estar to form the presente contínuo (present continuous tense). This construction emphasizes that an action is happening right now or during a specific period.

The structure is: estar (conjugated) + gerúndio

Eu estou estudando português (I am studying Portuguese)
Você está comendo muito rápido (You are eating too fast)
Ele está trabalhando no escritório (He is working at the office)
Nós estamos assistindo um filme (We are watching a movie)
Eles estão jogando futebol (They are playing soccer)

This construction is particularly useful when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action or when the action is temporary rather than habitual. For instance, Eu trabalho em uma escola (I work at a school) describes your profession, while Eu estou trabalhando em uma escola (I am working at a school) suggests a temporary or current situation.

Present Continuous vs Simple Present

Brazilian Portuguese uses the present continuous more frequently than European Portuguese, which often prefers the simple present tense. However, even in Brazilian Portuguese, the simple present can express ongoing actions, making the choice between the two somewhat flexible.

Compare these examples:
O que você faz? (What do you do? – asking about profession)
O que você está fazendo? (What are you doing? – asking about current activity)

Ela estuda medicina (She studies medicine – general fact)
Ela está estudando para a prova (She is studying for the exam – specific ongoing action)

Gerunds Expressing Simultaneous Actions

Portuguese gerunds excel at showing that two actions happen at the same time. In this usage, the gerúndio often translates to while plus a verb in English.

Ela canta trabalhando (She sings while working)
Aprendi muito viajando pelo Brasil (I learned a lot while traveling through Brazil)
Ele sempre sorri falando com ela (He always smiles when talking to her)
Descobri a verdade conversando com meu amigo (I discovered the truth while talking to my friend)

This construction is elegant and commonly used in both spoken and written Portuguese. It allows you to combine information efficiently and create more sophisticated sentences. Notice how the gerúndio can appear at different positions in the sentence depending on what you want to emphasize.

Gerunds Indicating Manner or Method

The gerúndio frequently describes how an action is performed, answering the question of manner or method. This usage is particularly common and natural in Portuguese.

Ela saiu correndo (She left running / She ran out)
Eles chegaram gritando (They arrived shouting)
O menino entrou pulando (The boy entered jumping)
Respondi sorrindo (I answered smiling / I answered with a smile)

In these examples, the gerund functions almost like an adverb, modifying the main verb and providing additional information about how the action occurred. This construction adds color and detail to your descriptions and is very natural in everyday Portuguese speech.

Gerunds with Continuous Aspect in Other Tenses

While the present continuous is the most common, Portuguese also uses gerunds with other tenses of estar to create continuous aspects in the past and future.

Past Continuous (Imperfect)

Using the imperfect tense of estar plus a gerúndio creates the past continuous, describing actions that were in progress at a specific moment in the past.

Eu estava dormindo quando você ligou (I was sleeping when you called)
Nós estávamos estudando a noite toda (We were studying all night long)
Eles estavam conversando sobre você (They were talking about you)
Ela estava preparando o jantar (She was preparing dinner)

Future Continuous

The future tense of estar combined with a gerund expresses actions that will be in progress at a future time.

Amanhã a essa hora estarei viajando (Tomorrow at this time I will be traveling)
Eles estarão trabalhando no projeto (They will be working on the project)
Você estará estudando quando eu chegar? (Will you be studying when I arrive?)

Gerunds in Compound Verb Constructions

Portuguese uses gerunds with various auxiliary verbs beyond estar to create nuanced meanings and aspects.

Ir + Gerund (Progressive Development)

The verb ir (to go) followed by a gerúndio indicates a gradual process or progressive development of an action.

Vou aprendendo aos poucos (I’m learning little by little)
Ela vai melhorando cada dia (She’s getting better each day)
As coisas vão mudando com o tempo (Things change gradually over time)
Vamos resolvendo os problemas (We’re solving the problems as we go)

This construction emphasizes the ongoing and gradual nature of change or development, suggesting that the action unfolds over time rather than happening all at once.

Andar + Gerund (Repeated Actions)

Using andar (to walk) with a gerund suggests repeated or habitual actions, often with a slightly informal or colloquial tone.

Ele anda estudando muito ultimamente (He has been studying a lot lately)
Ando pensando em mudar de cidade (I’ve been thinking about moving to another city)
Eles andam brigando sempre (They have been fighting all the time)
Ela anda trabalhando demais (She has been working too much)

Viver + Gerund (Constant Actions)

The verb viver (to live) combined with a gerund emphasizes that someone is constantly or always doing something, often with a critical or observational tone.

Ele vive reclamando de tudo (He is always complaining about everything)
Ela vive sonhando acordada (She is constantly daydreaming)
Meu irmão vive pedindo dinheiro emprestado (My brother is always asking to borrow money)
Eles vivem brigando por bobagens (They are constantly fighting over silly things)

Gerunds in Absolute Constructions

Portuguese gerunds can form absolute constructions, which are clauses that provide context or background information without a direct grammatical connection to the main clause. These constructions are more common in formal or written Portuguese.

Chegando em casa, vou ligar para você (Upon arriving home, I will call you)
Terminando o trabalho, podemos sair (Having finished the work, we can go out)
Sendo assim, não há mais nada a discutir (That being the case, there is nothing more to discuss)
Considerando os fatos, tomamos a decisão certa (Considering the facts, we made the right decision)

These constructions add sophistication to your Portuguese and are particularly useful in writing. They allow you to establish conditions, reasons, or temporal relationships between clauses in an elegant manner.

Common Expressions with Gerunds

Several fixed expressions in Portuguese use gerunds idiomatically. Learning these phrases will make your Portuguese sound more natural and fluent.

Falando nisso (Speaking of which / By the way)
This expression is used to transition between topics or to bring up something related to the current conversation. Example: Falando nisso, você viu o Pedro ontem? (Speaking of which, did you see Pedro yesterday?)

Sendo honesto (To be honest / Being honest)
This phrase introduces a frank or sincere statement. Example: Sendo honesto, eu não gostei do filme (To be honest, I didn’t like the movie).

Pensando bem (Thinking about it / On second thought)
Used when reconsidering something or offering a revised opinion. Example: Pensando bem, acho que vou aceitar o convite (On second thought, I think I will accept the invitation).

Resumindo (In summary / To sum up)
This gerund introduces a summary or conclusion. Example: Resumindo, foi um dia muito produtivo (In summary, it was a very productive day).

Regional Differences: Brazilian vs European Portuguese

While this article focuses on Brazilian Portuguese, it’s worth noting some differences in gerund usage between Brazilian and European varieties. Brazilian Portuguese employs the gerúndio much more frequently, especially in progressive constructions with estar.

European Portuguese often prefers the construction estar a plus infinitive instead of estar plus gerund:

Brazilian: Estou estudando (I am studying)
European: Estou a estudar (I am studying)

Brazilian: Ele está trabalhando (He is working)
European: Ele está a trabalhar (He is working)

For learners focusing on Brazilian Portuguese, the gerund constructions covered in this article are the standard forms you should use and expect to hear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As you practice using gerunds, be aware of these common errors that Portuguese learners often make.

Overusing the Present Continuous

While the present continuous is common in Brazilian Portuguese, don’t assume it’s always necessary. Sometimes the simple present is more appropriate, especially for habitual actions or general truths.

Incorrect: Eu estou trabalhando como professor (for stating your profession)
Correct: Eu trabalho como professor (I work as a teacher)

The continuous form would suggest a temporary situation rather than your established profession.

Confusing Gerunds with Infinitives

English speakers sometimes mistakenly use infinitives where Portuguese requires gerunds, particularly after certain prepositions or in specific constructions.

After finishing an action, use the gerund, not the infinitive:
Incorrect: Terminando de comer, vamos sair
Correct: Terminando de comer, vamos sair (Having finished eating, we will go out)

Incorrect Gerund Formation

Remember that each conjugation has its specific ending. Don’t mix them up:

Incorrect: comindo (from comer)
Correct: comendo (eating)

Incorrect: partendo (from partir)
Correct: partindo (leaving)

Practice Tips for Mastering Gerunds

Improving your command of Portuguese gerunds requires consistent practice and exposure to authentic language use. Here are some effective strategies to help you master this important verb form.

Listen to Native Speakers

Pay attention to how native speakers use gerunds in everyday conversation. Watch Brazilian movies, TV shows, and YouTube videos, focusing on when and how gerunds appear. You’ll notice they’re used extensively in casual speech, especially with estar for ongoing actions and in expressions like falando nisso or pensando bem.

Practice Describing Ongoing Actions

Throughout your day, practice mentally describing what you’re doing using gerunds. For example: Estou tomando café (I am drinking coffee), Estou andando para o trabalho (I am walking to work), Estou ouvindo música (I am listening to music). This mental practice helps internalize the construction.

Write Short Narratives

Create brief stories or descriptions using gerunds to show simultaneous actions or describe manner. For instance: Acordei cantando, preparei o café dançando, e saí de casa sorrindo (I woke up singing, prepared coffee dancing, and left home smiling). These creative exercises make the practice enjoyable and memorable.

Use Flashcards for Irregular Forms

Create flashcards for irregular gerunds like pondo, vindo, and tendo. Regular review will help you recall these forms automatically without having to think about them during conversation.

Gerunds in Written vs Spoken Portuguese

The frequency and style of gerund usage varies between written and spoken Portuguese. Understanding these differences will help you use gerunds appropriately in different contexts.

In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, gerunds with estar are extremely common and natural. People frequently use constructions like Estou indo para casa (I’m going home) or Está chovendo muito (It’s raining a lot) in everyday conversation. These forms sound casual and immediate.

In formal written Portuguese, gerunds often appear in more sophisticated constructions, such as absolute phrases or with verbs like considerando (considering) and sendo (being). Academic and professional writing tends to use gerunds to create complex sentence structures that show relationships between ideas.

For example, in a formal report you might write: Considerando os resultados obtidos, recomendamos a continuação do projeto (Considering the results obtained, we recommend continuing the project). This sounds appropriately formal and professional.

Advanced Gerund Uses

Once you’re comfortable with basic gerund usage, you can explore more advanced applications that will further enhance your Portuguese fluency.

Gerunds with Reflexive Verbs

Reflexive verbs maintain their reflexive pronouns when used in the gerund form. The pronoun can attach to the end of the gerund.

Estou me preparando para a prova (I am preparing myself for the exam)
Ela estava se maquiando quando eu cheguei (She was putting on makeup when I arrived)
Eles ficaram se divertindo a noite toda (They kept having fun all night long)

The reflexive pronoun se can also appear before the auxiliary verb in some constructions, particularly in more formal contexts: Ele se estava preparando versus Ele estava se preparando (both mean He was preparing himself).

Gerunds in Passive Voice

Portuguese can use gerunds in passive constructions with estar sendo plus past participle.

O documento está sendo revisado (The document is being reviewed)
As casas estavam sendo construídas rapidamente (The houses were being built quickly)
Os projetos estão sendo analisados pela diretoria (The projects are being analyzed by the board)

This construction emphasizes the ongoing nature of the passive action and is common in both formal and informal contexts.

Cultural Notes on Gerund Usage

Understanding the cultural context of gerund usage can help you sound more natural and avoid potential misunderstandings when communicating in Portuguese.

In Brazilian culture, the frequent use of the present continuous with gerunds reflects a communication style that emphasizes immediacy and ongoing processes. Brazilians often use these forms to make their speech feel more dynamic and present-focused. This aligns with Brazilian cultural values of warmth, spontaneity, and living in the moment.

The expression indo (going) in the gerund form is particularly interesting culturally. When Brazilians say Estou indo (I’m going/coming), it often means they’re on their way but might not have actually left yet. This reflects a more flexible approach to time and scheduling compared to more punctuality-focused cultures.

Business contexts in Brazil increasingly use gerund constructions to sound modern and dynamic. You’ll hear phrases like Estamos crescendo rapidamente (We are growing rapidly) or Vamos implementando as mudanças (We are implementing the changes) in corporate settings, emphasizing ongoing progress and development.

Gerunds and Technology

Modern technology and digital communication have influenced gerund usage in Portuguese, creating new expressions and conventions.

In text messages and social media, Brazilians frequently use gerunds in informal abbreviations and internet slang. You might see shortened forms or creative uses of gerunds that wouldn’t appear in formal writing but are perfectly acceptable in digital communication.

Common tech-related gerund phrases include:
Estou baixando o arquivo (I am downloading the file)
Está carregando a página (The page is loading)
Estou enviando a mensagem (I am sending the message)
O sistema está processando (The system is processing)

These phrases have become standard in discussing technology and digital processes, showing how gerunds naturally adapt to express contemporary activities and situations.

Conclusion

Mastering Portuguese gerunds is essential for achieving fluency and expressing yourself naturally in Brazilian Portuguese. From forming basic continuous tenses with estar to using sophisticated gerund constructions in formal writing, this versatile verb form enriches your communication across all contexts. Practice regularly, pay attention to native usage, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different gerund constructions in your Portuguese journey.