protegiendo
proh-teh-HYEHN-doh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Mi hermana está protegiendo a su gato de la lluvia.
A1My sister is protecting her cat from the rain.
Ellos han estado protegiendo sus tierras por generaciones.
B1They have been protecting their lands for generations.
El escudo siguió protegiendo al guerrero a pesar de los golpes.
B2The shield kept protecting the warrior despite the blows.
💡 Grammar Points
Showing Continuous Action
The '-iendo' ending means the action is happening right now, or over a period of time. You must use 'protegiendo' with a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) to make a continuous tense: 'está protegiendo'.
The '-er/-ir' Rule
All verbs ending in '-er' (like proteger) and '-ir' use the '-iendo' ending for this form. Verbs ending in '-ar' use '-ando'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Infinitive for Ongoing Action
Mistake: "Estamos proteger el medio ambiente."
Correction: Estamos protegiendo el medio ambiente. (Use the -iendo form when describing what is happening right now.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Attaching Pronouns
If you are 'protecting someone' (like 'me'), you can attach the pronoun to the end: 'Estás protegiéndome' (You are protecting me). Remember to add an accent mark (í) to keep the stress correct!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: protegiendo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'protegiendo' to show an action happening right now?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'protegiendo' considered a regular or irregular verb form?
The form 'protegiendo' is regular, following the standard pattern for '-er' verbs (stem + iendo). However, the base verb 'proteger' has a spelling change in some other tenses (like 'protejo' instead of 'protego') to keep the 'h' sound consistent.
Can I use 'protegiendo' without 'estar'?
Yes, but its meaning changes. When used alone, it often acts like an adjective or gives background information. For example, 'El muro, protegiendo la ciudad, era fuerte' (The wall, protecting the city, was strong).