Is it “vado…” or “sto andando…”?

Don’t confuse the present tense with the present progressive. Learn to use the present tense correctly in Italian

Is it “vado in ufficio” or “sto andando in ufficio”? This is not a trivial question. Many of my intermediate students still make mistakes with this grammar point: Is it vado in ufficio or sto andando in ufficio?
So, here is a full lesson explaining when to use the present indicative (presente indicativo).

In summary, I have identified six uses of the present indicativo:

  1. To talk about something happening now.
  2. To talk about the near future, something that is certain to happen.
  3. To express historical events.
  4. To discuss actions that started in the past but are continuing in the present.
  5. To express habits that are still carried out now.
  6. For indisputable facts.

Let’s start with a quick test. Which version of these two sets of sentences is correct?

  1.  

a. Oggi sto andando a Venezia
or
b. Oggi vado a Venezia

  1.  

a. Oggi porto i pantaloni
or
b. Oggi sto portando i pantaloni

The correct sentences are 1b and 2a. Were you surprised, or did you get it right?

Let’s explain why this is. But before we do that, to avoid confusion, let’s clarify what the present indicative (presente indicativo) tense is. This is the first tense you learned when you started studying Italian.

Here is the conjugation of this tense:

From now on when referring to the indicative present, I’ll simply say present tense or presente.

If you are not familiar with the presente indicativo, I have a full guide on its conjugation, pronunciation, etc. Download it HERE.

Now, let’s look at each use in detail, with examples.

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1. To talk about something happening now

In Italian, when discussing actions and events occurring at this moment, we primarily use the presente indicativo (present simple). Here are a few examples:

  • (Io) vado in ufficio (I’m going to the office)
  • (Io) mangio una mela (I’m eating an apple)
  • (Io) compro un quaderno (I buy a notebook)

Note that in English, you often use the present continuous, such as “I’m going to the office,” rather than the present simple “I go to the office.” However, this is not the case in Italian.

If you’re considering the structure sto andando in ufficio, that’s known as the presente progressivo (present progressive). While it does indicate that something is happening right now, it has a more specific meaning—it emphasises that the action is currently in progress as we speak.

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The Difference Between Presente Indicativo and Presente Progressivo


Let’s now compare two similar sentences to highlight the difference between these tenses:

  1. Vado in ufficio (presente indicativo)
  2. Sto andando in ufficio (presente progressivo)

The first sentence, vado in ufficio, can indicate any of the following:

  • an intention to go to the office
  • that you are about to leave, or even
  • that you are stepping out the door as you say it.

The second sentence, sto andando in ufficio, implies that the action is currently in progress. For example, you might be in the car, on the bus, or walking towards the office at this very moment. The action must be physically happening as you speak.

So, what is the difference between presente indicativo (vado) and presente progressivo (sto andando)?

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Restricted Use of the Presente Progressivo in Italian


Unlike in English, where the sentence “I am going to the office” can have multiple meanings (such as intention to go, being about to go, or physically going at the moment), in Italian, the presente progressivo has a more restricted use. It must be employed when the action is in progress at the moment of speaking, and we need to emphasise this.

In contrast, the present tense is used more widely than the presente progressivo, and its meaning can overlap with it. For example, if I say mangio una mela, depending on the context, it could imply that I am eating it as we speak.

Therefore, in Italian, if you are expressing:

  • an intention to do something, or
  • that you are about to do something,

the correct tense is the present tense. The presente progressivo cannot be used in these cases. Furthermore, the present tense is also commonly used for actions in progress, as mentioned above.

Let’s clarify one more thing by looking at these two sentences:
English: Today, Maria is wearing a skirt.
Italian: Oggi, Maria porta una gonna.

In this case, Italian uses the presente instead of the progressive form because the verb portare (to wear) refers to a state, and in Italian, states are expressed with the present tense.

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Summary

To sum up, the present tense has these different meanings:

  • To have the intention of doing something
  • To be about to do something
  • To be doing something as we speak

The presente progressivo is reserved for situations where you want or need to emphasise that the action is currently in progress and unfolding at the moment of speaking. Keep this distinction in mind, especially if you’re accustomed to using the continuous form in English!

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2. To talk about a near future


This is interesting because it differs from English. To discuss something happening in the near future or a future that is perceived as certain to occur, we use the present tense in Italian.
Examples:

  • Più tardi ti chiamo. (I’ll call you later.)
  • Domani partiamo per Roma. (Tomorrow, we are leaving for Rome.)
  • Fra un anno ci trasferiamo. (We’re moving in a year.)

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3. To express historical event

Historical events can be conveyed using the passato remoto, but they can also be expressed in the present indicative.
For example:

  • La Repubblica Italiana è stata proclamata nel 1946. (The Italian Republic was proclaimed in 1946.)
  • Napoleone è nato nel 1769. (Napoleon was born in 1769.)
  • L’Unità d’Italia è stata raggiunta nel 1861. (Italian unification was achieved in 1861.)

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4. To express actions that started in the past and continue in the present

When we want to discuss actions or events that began in the past but are still ongoing, we use the present tense. This is also different from English.
Here are some examples:

  • Vivo a Londra da cinque anni. (I have lived in London for five years.)
    This means I moved to London five years ago and I am still living there.
  • Studio italiano da due anni. (I have been studying Italian for two years.)
  • Dal mese scorso, corro ogni mattina. (I have been running every morning since last month.)
  • Aspetto l’autobus da mezz’ora. (I have been waiting for the bus for half an hour.)

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5. To talk about habits that are still carried out now

This use is more straightforward and is similar to English. All habits that started in the past and continue in the present are expressed in the present tense.
Here are a few examples:

  • Ogni mattina mi sveglio alle 7. (Every morning, I wake up at 7.)
  • Il giovedì vado in palestra. (On Thursdays, I go to the gym.)
  • La domenica faccio una passeggiata. (On Sundays, I go for a walk.)
  • Il treno per Napoli parte alle 17.00. (The train to Naples leaves at 5:00 pm.)

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6. Indisputable facts

This use is also similar to English. Any scientific (or indisputable) facts are expressed in the present tense.

For instance:

  • L’acqua bolle a 100 gradi Celsius. (Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.)
  • La Terra gira intorno al Sole. (The Earth revolves around the Sun.)
  • La luce viaggia più veloce del suono. (Light travels faster than sound.)

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the presente indicativo is a versatile tense in Italian with several important uses. It allows speakers to discuss actions happening now, indicate intentions or plans for the near future, express historical events, and convey ongoing actions that began in the past. It also serves to describe habitual behaviours and articulate indisputable facts. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for mastering the present tense, especially for English speakers who may be accustomed to different usages in their language. By keeping these six key applications in mind, you can enhance your fluency and expressiveness in Italian.

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