Stare + Gerund for Ongoing Actions

In brief

Use stare + gerundio to emphasize that an action is in progress at a particular moment. It often corresponds to English ‘am/is/are doing’ or ‘was/were doing.’ The simple present can also describe something happening now, so the progressive form is useful when the ongoing nature of the action matters.

Form

Conjugated stare + gerundio: -are → -ando (parlare → parlando); -ere/-ire → -endo (leggere → leggendo; dormire → dormendo). For example, sto leggendo; in the past, stavo leggendo.

Usage

• Describe an action underway right now: Sto cucinando.
• Use the imperfect of stare for an action underway at a specific time in the past: Stavo dormendo quando hai chiamato.
• Use non before stare to negate it: Non stiamo aspettando.

Examples

• Sto preparando la cena. — I’m making dinner.
• Che cosa stai leggendo? — What are you reading?
• Non stiamo guardando la TV. — We’re not watching TV.
• Stavo facendo la spesa quando mi hai chiamato. — I was grocery shopping when you called me.

Common mistake

❌ Sono leggendo un libro.

✅ Sto leggendo un libro.

Unlike English ‘I am reading,’ Italian uses a form of stare, not essere, before the gerundio.

Remember

For an action in progress, pair the appropriate form of stare with the gerundio.