Final answer:
The verb 'estar' is used to describe ongoing actions with progressives in Spanish, using the present progressive tense combining 'estar' with a gerund.
Step-by-step explanation:
To describe ongoing actions with progressives in Spanish, the verb "estar" is used. For instance, when forming the present progressive, which is the equivalent to the English present continuous tense, you combine "estar" in the present tense with a gerund. Here are some examples: estoy comiendo (I am eating), estás hablando (you are speaking), está corriendo (he/she/it is running).
"Ser" and "hay" have different uses. "Ser" is used to describe permanent or lasting attributes, while "hay" is a form of "haber" that means "there is" or "there are" and is used to indicate the existence of something.