0
Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Adverb Clauses of Time

Can I use Present Continuous to express future in complex sentences? For example:

I'm leaving after she arrives.

I'm reading my book before she arrives.
  

Top answer

No grammatical rule prevents you from that. Native speakers may offer other ways to express your thoughts. CB

— Cool Breeze

  • No grammatical rule prevents you from that.
  • Native speakers may offer other ways to express your thoughts.
  • CB
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

7 Answers
0
No grammatical rule prevents you from that. Native speakers may offer other ways to express your thoughts.

CB
0
0
Yes, it's used all the time to express intention.
0
0
Grammatically, I am leaving has future meaning. But I am reading my book seems to carry far less future implication than emphasizing present activity?
Maybe I will be reading my book before she arrives?
0
0
In that case, it sounds like you want to finish the book before she comes. Maybe it's her book and she'll want to take it back home with her.

Maybe it's your brother, known for stealing other people's desserts. I'm eating my pie before my brother gets here! (So he won't have a change to eat it himself.)
0
0
Anonymous But I am reading my book seems to carry far less future implication than emphasizing present activity?
Maybe I will be reading my book before she arrives?
That's exactly what I had on my mind, Anon![Y] I don't always know what is on native speakers' minds and that's why I refrained from suggesting it this time. The reason I
0
0
My grammar book says:

will be reading my book  denotes 'FUTURE AS A MAITER OF COURSE', whereas am reading my book has the basic meaning of 'FUTURE ARISING FROM PRESENT ARRANGEMENT, PLAN, OR PROGRAMME'. Therefore,
suppose I am playing video games now. In order to give my lady tutor a good impression, I plan to read a book on her imminent arrival
0

Related Questions