Are all "-ar" verbs quite regular, when forming the gerund?

Question

Inma - Many thanks for this useful lesson.

I am wondering if it might be worth emphasising, at the beginning, that "-ar" verbs all form their gerund quite regularly. Is that true?

That could be reinforced with examples like pensar [> pienso] > pensando;

and (in your category 3): contar [>cuento] > contando.

and maybe even mention in your category 1 that crear > creando is quite regular - (i.e., with no 'y' inserted).

We do appreciate your hard work and dedication !

Accepted Answer

Hi DavidThat's a good point! No, no -ar verbs whatever irregularity they may have in the present or other tenses have an irregular gerundio. I'll add a note to the lesson. Gracias y saludosInma

Answer

Thank you Inma ...Another possible suggestion:Would it be correct (and helpful?) to replace:2.  Some verbs with an e > i or e > ie stem-change in El Presente swap the -e in the infinitive for an -iby? -2.  Most '-ir' verbs with an e > i or e > ie stem-change in El Presente swap the -e in the infinitive for an -i[(i) Is it true that there are not too many exceptions? - like discernir, concernir; (ii) Assuming that we can exclude almost all '-er' verbs, can we? - like 'perder' > perdiendo]. Con saludos agradecidos ...

Answer

Hola David
I changed "some" by "most" as it's true that there are very few exceptions.
I can't think of any -er verb with a vowel change e > ie that has an irregular gerund:
 
defender, defiendo, defendiendo
perder, pierdo, perdiendo
encender, enciendo, encendiendo
atender, atiendo, atendiendo
entender, entiendo, entendiendo
querer, quiero, queriendo 
...