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Tue 17 Jan, 2012 07:51 am
Why this sentense is on present simple "I can answer some questions" and why is not I can answering some questions
@bebetxx,
Because we don't use the present participle that way in English.
@Setanta,
So this is a particular(special) case?
"can" is a helping verb in your sample.
other examples:
may answer
should answer
could answer
Perhap you are confusing it with "I am answering."
@bebetxx,
No, it's not a special case. No native English speaker wouls say "I can answering . . . "--no native English speaker would use a present participle ("anwering") in that manner.
The -ing form of a verb is always used in connection with a form of be:
I am answering ( in this moment)
I was answering the phone, when the doorbell rang. ( I was doing something when I was interupted).
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