-ando/-endo/-indo (gerúndio)

Gerund Formation

Level 2

The gerund (gerúndio) is the Portuguese equivalent of the English '-ing' form (e.g., speaking, eating). It is used to describe actions in progress or how something is being done.

How It Works

The gerund is one of the most regular parts of Portuguese grammar. It is used in two main ways:

1. Progressive Actions: In Brazilian Portuguese, it is the standard way to form the continuous tense using estar (e.g., Estou comendo - I am eating). In European Portuguese, while the progressive usually uses estar a + infinitive, the gerund is still used for adverbial purposes.
2. Adverbial Use: It describes the manner or circumstances of another action (e.g., Ela saiu correndo - She left running).

Formation Rules:

  • -AR verbs: falar → falando
  • -ER verbs: comer → comendo
  • -IR verbs: partir → partindo

Important Notes:

  • Invariability: The gerund never changes form (e.g., Eles estão correndo, not correndos).
  • Irregularities: The only truly irregular gerund is pôr (to put) → pondo. Verbs like vir (vindo) and ter (tendo) follow the standard rule of replacing the final -r with -ndo.
  • Homonyms: For the verb vir, the gerund vindo is identical to its past participle.

Note: Unlike English, the Portuguese gerund cannot be used as a noun. To say 'Swimming is good,' you must use the infinitivo impessoal (Nadar faz bem), not the gerund.

Examples (5)

  1. Eu estou estudando português agora.

    I am studying Portuguese now.

    Word by Word: I am studying Portuguese now.

    A classic example of the present progressive in Brazilian Portuguese using an -AR verb.

  2. Eles estão comendo no restaurante.

    They are eating at the restaurant.

    Word by Word: They are eating in the restaurant.

    Shows the -endo ending for -ER verbs in a continuous action.

  3. Ela saiu da sala sorrindo.

    She left the room smiling.

    Word by Word: She left from the room smiling.

    Here, the gerund describes the 'manner' in which she left the room.

  4. O que você está fazendo?

    What are you doing?

    Word by Word: The what you are doing?

    The verb 'fazer' is regular in the gerund: faz + endo.

  5. Mesmo tendo pouco tempo, ele estuda muito.

    Even having little time, he studies a lot.

    Word by Word: Even having little time, he studies much.

    Uses the gerund of 'ter' to express a condition or circumstance.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the gerund as a noun (subject of a sentence).

    Fumando é ruim para a saúde.
    Fumar é ruim para a saúde.

    In Portuguese, you must use the infinitive (fumar) when the verb acts as a noun. The gerund is only for actions in progress or descriptions of manner.

  • Overusing the gerund in European Portuguese for the progressive.

    Estou falando com ele. (In Portugal)
    Estou a falar com ele.

    While 'estou falando' is standard in Brazil, speakers in Portugal usually use estar a + infinitive for the progressive aspect.

  • Trying to make the gerund plural or feminine.

    Elas estão comendas.
    Elas estão comendo.

    The gerund is invariable. It never changes its ending to match the gender or number of the subject.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-ando/-endo/-indo (gerúndio)Level 2Gerund Formation

Learn This First

To form the gerund, a learner must first be able to identify the three main verb groups (-ar, -er, and -ir) in their infinitive forms, as the gerund suffix depends entirely on the verb's thematic vowel.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-endo-indo