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Wed 13 Apr, 2005 07:43 am
Hi everybody,
In definite arrangement in the near future ( immediate plans ) , We must mention the time of action. So, we don't confuse the future and the present,
- I am meeting her tonight.
Isn't that right ? What I don't get is in the case of come and go. They can be used without a time expression. Could someone tell more? ( Maybe it's me ) .
2 ) If I say,
- At six, I'm bathing the baby.
The rule says that present continuous is used with a point of time that begins before the time of action and probably follows it. How come before six, when it's mentioned that it's six ?
3 ) Ok, if I say,
- I'm always making this mistake.
The repeated action here is accidental . This is right in the case of I, we + always + present continuous.
What if I say,
He's always making this mistake.
Does this also imply accidental ?
Thanks,
Am I asking stupid questions ?!
Hi navigator,
No, they're not stupid questions. There are rules but native English-speakers don't always keep to them!
1. Mentioning the time in order to make clear that you are talking of the future rather the present is a good rule, but it is not necessary if there is no likelihood of confusion. If I say to friends I'm going to Spain for my holiday, or My mother is coming to visit me, they will understand that I am talking of the near future, and that neither I nor my mother has a suitcase and an airline ticket in hand at this moment.
2. At six, I'm bathing the baby sounds altogether odd to me.
For the future, depending on the context I would say:
- I'll bathe the baby at six
- I'm going to bathe the baby at six
- At six I'll be bathing the baby. (This one would fit in a sentence such as "Come round to my house at six, I'll be bathing the baby" - i.e. that's what you'll find me doing when you arrive.)
For the present, I would say:
- At six I bathe the baby. (i.e. that's what I usually do at six).
3. Yes, He's always making this mistake is just as correct as I'm always making this mistake and implies just the same.
Hi syntinen, and thanks. So, I can say either,
I'm meeting her.
or
I'm going to meet her.
and both sentences will be fine without the " must " of time for the first one.
As for At six, I'm bathing the baby I found it in a book ( don't wanna mention
) . The use of present continuous here is in a point of time, which means I start bathing the baby before six. That was what I didn't get .
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