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Laborious Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
1.1. "I _________ a novel." ('am reading' or 'read')
Hello teachers!
I ______ a novel.
This incomplete sentence has been taken from a grammar book written by a non-native English writer. I'm required to fill the gap with either the 'present continuous' or the 'present simple' form of the verb 'to read'. I know that without more information or proper context, it is difficult to say which form should go there, but the writer of the exercise hasn't provided any context or information regarding the sentence.
What do you think I should fill in the gap, 'am reading' or 'read', please?
Thank you.
I ______ a novel.
This incomplete sentence has been taken from a grammar book written by a non-native English writer. I'm required to fill the gap with either the 'present continuous' or the 'present simple' form of the verb 'to read'. I know that without more information or proper context, it is difficult to say which form should go there, but the writer of the exercise hasn't provided any context or information regarding the sentence.
What do you think I should fill in the gap, 'am reading' or 'read', please?
Thank you.
Top answer
hi Labourious, I am not a teacher but let me try to answer that. I think you should use "am reading" as present continuos because your sentence seems to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. I usually use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual.
- hi Labourious, I am not a teacher but let me try to answer that.
- I think you should use "am reading" as present continuos because your sentence seems to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment.
- I usually use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual.
- The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
- It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.
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7 Answers
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hi Labourious, I am not a teacher but let me try to answer that.
I think you should use "am reading" as present continuos because your sentence seems to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment.
I usually use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or som
I think you should use "am reading" as present continuos because your sentence seems to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment.
I usually use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or som
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Thank you, Crotie, for your response! -- And yes, that did help me.
I think, in situations like those, we can't be sure as to which tense we should use/choose unless we have full context or an expression of time given in the sentence. For example, If the sentence were "I _______ a novel every day/in the evening", for example, then ''read"
I think, in situations like those, we can't be sure as to which tense we should use/choose unless we have full context or an expression of time given in the sentence. For example, If the sentence were "I _______ a novel every day/in the evening", for example, then ''read"
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Yes, "I read a novel" seems incomplete without any additional information.
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Thanks a lot to you, ozzourti.
I'm not sure what exactly it would mean If I said, "I read a novel every day". Would it mean that I finish (reading) one novel every day or would it mean I read some of the novel every day?
Thank you.
I'm not sure what exactly it would mean If I said, "I read a novel every day". Would it mean that I finish (reading) one novel every day or would it mean I read some of the novel every day?
Thank you.
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Thanks a lot to you, teacher fivejj! I feel like it's been a long time since you last replied to a post of mine. Good to see you! 
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"I read a few chapters of War and Peace every day."
"I am reading War and Peace at the moment."
If you say "I read War and Peace every day" it sounds as though you read the whole novel every day.
"I am reading War and Peace at the moment."
If you say "I read War and Peace every day" it sounds as though you read the whole novel every day.
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