Seguir is a versatile Spanish verb that primarily means "to follow," but it is also widely used to express continuing, persisting, or keeping up with something. It is a regular -ir verb in its conjugation patterns, except for a slight stem change in some forms (sigo, sigues, sigue...). Understanding seguir is essential for expressing actions related to progression, adherence, and continuity in various contexts.
- Meaning: to follow, to continue, to keep on, to pursue
- Verb type: Regular -ir verb (with a stem change: e → i)
- Core uses: following someone/something, continuing a process, maintaining a course, tracking, or pursuing goals
*Seguir* means to follow, continue, or keep on.
Conjugation Summary
Seguir is a stem-changing verb (e → i) in the present tense and other relevant forms where the stem is used. Its infinitive is seguir.
| Tense | Example (yo) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Present | sigo | (sigo, sigues, sigue...) |
| Preterite | seguí | Full root used, regular endings |
| Imperfect | seguía | Regular -ir pattern |
| Conditional | seguiría | Regular -ir pattern |
| Future | seguiré | Regular -ir pattern |
Yes, *seguir* changes its stem from e to i in present tense forms: sigo, sigues, sigue...
Present Tense Usage
In the present tense, seguir expresses both literal and figurative notions of following, continuing, or maintaining something.
| Subject | Conjugation | Example (to follow) | Example (to continue) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | sigo | Sigo al profesor. | Sigo trabajando. |
| Tú | sigues | Sigues las instrucciones. | Sigues estudiando. |
| Él/Ella | sigue | Sigue la carretera. | Sigue leyendo el libro. |
| Nosotros | seguimos | Seguimos a nuestros amigos. | Seguimos en contacto. |
| Vosotros | seguís | Seguís el programa. | Seguís aprendiendo. |
| Ellos | siguen | Siguen las noticias. | Siguen con el proyecto. |
*Seguir* is used to follow, continue, or keep up with something in the present tense.
We follow is 'seguimos.'
Preterite: Finished Following or Continuing
When you want to say that someone followed or continued something at a specific moment in the past, use the preterite.
| Subject | Conjugation | Example (to follow) | Example (to continue) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | seguí | Seguí al entrenador. | Seguí trabajando hasta tarde. |
| Tú | seguiste | Seguiste las instrucciones. | Seguiste el proyecto. |
| Él/Ella | siguió | Siguió el consejo del médico. | Siguió leyendo la novela. |
| Nosotros | seguimos | Seguimos el plan. | Seguimos las reglas. |
| Vosotros | seguisteis | Seguisteis al grupo. | Seguisteis el programa. |
| Ellos | siguieron | Siguieron la ruta correcta. | Siguieron con la reunión. |
Use *seguir* in the preterite to express following or continuing at a specific past moment.
The correct preterite form is 'siguieron.'
Imperfect: Ongoing or Habitual Following/Continuing
Use the imperfect to describe following or continuing something as a routine, habit, or ongoing action in the past.
| Subject | Conjugation | Example (habitual) | Example (ongoing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | seguía | Seguía las noticias cada día. | Seguía trabajando allí. |
| Tú | seguías | Seguías a tus amigos en la escuela. | Seguías el programa... |
| Él/Ella | seguía | Seguía las instrucciones. | Seguía leyendo cuando llamé. |
| Nosotros | seguíamos | Seguíamos el equipo local. | Seguíamos en contacto. |
| Vosotros | seguíais | Seguíais la misma ruta. | Seguíais aprendiendo... |
| Ellos | seguían | Seguían las normas. | Seguían trabajando juntos. |
*Seguir* in the imperfect shows habitual or ongoing following/continuing in the past.
'They used to follow' is 'seguían' (imperfect).
Common Expressions with Seguir
- Seguir adelante: to go ahead, to move forward
- Seguir el ritmo: to keep up the pace
- Seguir en pie: to remain standing/to still be valid
- Seguir + gerundio: to keep doing something (e.g., seguir trabajando = to keep working)
Common expressions include Seguir adelante, Seguir el ritmo, and Seguir + gerundio.
'seguir + gerundio' means continuing to do something.
Conclusion
Seguir is essential for discussing more than just "following"—it captures the dynamics of continuing, persisting, and maintaining paths both literally and figuratively.
- Use seguir for following, continuing, and keeping up.
- Remember the stem change (e → i) in present tense and related forms.
- Master its use in common expressions for fuller fluency.