Question 1

Doesn't vienen mean "they come"? Why does the English translation say "they have been"?

Accepted Answer

Yes, venir normally means "to come." However, when you pair it with a gerund (an "-ing" word like empujando), it creates a structure called a cumulative periphrasis. Instead of physical movement, this combination means an action has been gradually building up from the past right into the present.

Question 2

What is the difference between vienen empujando and the present perfect continuous han estado empujando?

Accepted Answer

Both translate to "have been pushing," but using venir plus a gerund highlights the gradual, step-by-step accumulation of the action over time. Moving a mountain is a slow, difficult process, so this structure emphasizes that hard-fought, continuous progress better than han estado would.

Question 3

Why isn't there an "a" before la montaña?

Accepted Answer

You might be remembering the "personal a," which is required before a direct object when that object is a specific person or a pet. Because la montaña is an inanimate object, it simply follows the verb without needing an a.

Question 4

Grammatically, how does un milímetro fit in if la montaña is already the object?

Accepted Answer

While la montaña is the direct object receiving the push, un milímetro acts as an adverbial phrase of measurement. It simply tells us exactly how far the mountain was pushed. In Spanish, you can place this measurement right after the object without needing any extra prepositions.

Ellas vienen empujando la montaña un milímetro.

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