Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

  1. We use 'llevar' to indicate the duration of an action.
  2. We use seguir to show actions that continue
  3. Formation of the gerund: verbs that end in -ar --> ando and verbs that end in -er/-ir --> iendo
Persona (Person)Verbo auxiliar (Auxiliary verb)Ejemplo (Example)
Yo (I)Llevo / SigoLlevo pensando en mi jubilación desde enero. (I have been thinking about my retirement since January.)
(You)Llevas / SiguesSigues viviendo con tranquilidad desde que te jubilaste. (You continue living peacefully since you retired.)
Él/Ella (He/She)Lleva / SigueÉlla sigue aprovechando el tiempo libre al máximo. (She continues making the most of her free time.)
Nosotros/as (We)Llevamos / SeguimosLlevamos cuidando de nuestra salud muchos años. (We have been taking care of our health for many years.)
Vosotros/as (You)Lleváis / SeguísSeguís organizando actividades para jubilados. (You keep organising activities for retirees.)
Ellos/as (They)Llevan / SiguenLlevan planeando viajes desde el retiro. (They have been planning trips since retirement.)

Exceptions!

  1. A word can be added between the verb and the gerund, such as a time adverb or a noun. For example: Llevo meses siendo retirado.

Exercise 1: Los verbos "Llevar/Seguir" + Gerundio

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

llevo corriendo, aprendiendo, Llevo, lleváis disfrutando, llevo trabajando, soñando, lleva, Sigo haciendo, seguimos buscando, seguimos viajando

1. Seguir + hacer (yo):
Nada ha cambiado. ... lo mismo.
(Nothing has changed. I am still doing the same thing.)
2. Llevar + trabajando:
Yo ... en esta empresa por 30 años.
(I have been working in this company for 30 years.)
3. Seguir + viajando:
Nosotros ... por el mundo después de la jubilación.
(We keep travelling around the world after retirement.)
4. Llevar + disfrutando:
Vosotros ... de las vacaciones todo el mes.
(You have been enjoying the holidays all month.)
5. Llevar + corriendo:
Yo ... 5 kilómetros todos los días.
(I have been running 5 kilometres every day.)
6. Llevar + soñar:
... años ... con tener más tiempo libre.
(I have been dreaming for years of having more free time.)
7. Seguir + buscando:
Nosotros ... una casa para mudarnos.
(We are still looking for a house to move into.)
8. Llevar + aprender:
Él ... años ... español.
(He has been learning Spanish for years.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence that properly uses the verbs 'llevar' or 'seguir' + gerund to express actions continuing over time.

1.
Error in verb formation: after 'llevar' there should be a gerund, not an infinitive.
Error: 'para' should not be used between 'seguir' and the gerund; 'aprendiendo' must be used without 'para'.
2.
Error: after 'seguir' a gerund ('disfrutando') must be used, not a past participle ('disfrutado').
Error: 'para' is not used between 'llevar' and the gerund.
3.
Error: after 'llevar' the gerund, not the infinitive, should be used.
Error: 'para' should not be used between 'seguir' and the gerund.
4.
Error: the gerund ('organizando'), not the past participle ('organizado'), must be used.
Error: no preposition is used between 'seguir' and the gerund.

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