Confused about -ing

Portuguese Questions Verbs
1

I started learning Portuguese recently and am confused about -ing.

Why is it “Eles vão correr” instead of “Eles estão a ir correr”?

Doesn’t “Eles vão correr” mean “They go to run”?

Thank you for your help

1 Like
2

Olá, @lori. We can use present tense conjugations to refer both to the present and to the future, depending on context. This is explained in detail in the following Learning Note: Talking About the Future in Portuguese | Practice Portuguese So, Eles vão correr can mean They’re going to run. Eles estão a ir correr is not a very idiomatic alternative, but could eventually be used as well.

3

Thank you for the helpful explanation, @Joseph. I imagine there are many examples like this that make the Portuguese language so unique and frustrating to a beginner like me :slight_smile: I love this language and look forward to making MANY mistakes as I learn. Obrigada!