Question

paco esta ______.
durmiendo
dormiendo
durmando
duermiendo

Answer 1

Hello there:
I'll try and guide you to the answer, hoping this will help you learn, OK? :)

(1) Look at the usual (regular) pattern for forming the gerund in Spanish:
(I'll use verbs *vivir* [= "to live"] and *recibir* [= "to receive"])

Infinitive: VIVIR
Stem: VIV-
Gerund: viv + -IENDO = viviendo

Infinitive: RECIBIR
Stem: RECIB-
Gerund: recib + -IENDO = recibiendo

(I only gave you the pattern for Spanish verbs with infinitive ending in -IR, which is what you need here.)


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(2) Now, the verb you'll use in your question is DORMIR (that's the infinitive) (= "to sleep").

But here's the tricky part: DORMIR has an irregular gerund.
So *dormiendo* is NOT correct.


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(3) Tip: to get the right gerund for *dormir*, replace the vowel IN THE STEM by ONLY ONE OTHER vowel. Then add the usual gerund ending.

Infinitive: DORMIR
Stem: DORM-
Gerund: ___ + iendo


Hope this helps!
Blessings

Answer 2

b.

Answer 3

Hello there:
This is an irregular verb... In this case the vowel in the stem (*o*) should be changed. :)

Best

Answer 4

Hello again:
I'm just writing to say the answer should be (a) (not b). (I thought it was clear... but perhaps my post above was too long... sorry)

(a) durmiendo - > ANSWER
(b) dormiendo
(c) durmando
(d) duermiendo

You may check the right gerund (*gerundio* in Spanish) here if you wish: http://www.onoma.es/#dormir+pronominal=false+tiempos=0$3$+personas=1$2$4$5$8$10$12$13$+paradigma=2

So:
*Paco esta durmiendo* (= "Paco is sleeping")

Would you agree, @sashadqaf ?
Hope this helps
Blessings