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Linguaphile Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
always
1. The train is never late. It ---- on time.
a) is always leaving b) always leaves
2. My sister really makes me angry. She ---- my things without asking me.
a) is always borrowing b) always borrows
3. Simon is very untidy. He ---- his clothes lying on the bathroom flooor.
a) is always leaving b) always leaves
4. Ron is in London at the moment. He is staying at the Park Hotel. He ---- there when he's in London.
a) is always staying b) always stays
5. When Alice comes to see me, I ---- her at the station.
a) am always meeting b) always meet
6. Tony is a really kind person. He ---- to help me with my homework.
a) is always offering b) always offers
7. Granny's nice. She ---- people little presents.
a) is always giving b) always gives
8. My parents are lucky. They ---- prizes in competitions.
a) are always winning b) always win
9. Our old car is very unreliable. It ----.
a) is always breaking down b) always breaks down
10. My memory is getting very bad these days. I ---- things.
a) am always forgetting b) always forget
11. He's a really miserable man. He ---- about something.
a) is always complaining b) always complains
12. I ---- Mrs Bailiff in the supermarket.
a) am always meeting b) always meet
Are my answers correct?
a) is always leaving b) always leaves
2. My sister really makes me angry. She ---- my things without asking me.
a) is always borrowing b) always borrows
3. Simon is very untidy. He ---- his clothes lying on the bathroom flooor.
a) is always leaving b) always leaves
4. Ron is in London at the moment. He is staying at the Park Hotel. He ---- there when he's in London.
a) is always staying b) always stays
5. When Alice comes to see me, I ---- her at the station.
a) am always meeting b) always meet
6. Tony is a really kind person. He ---- to help me with my homework.
a) is always offering b) always offers
7. Granny's nice. She ---- people little presents.
a) is always giving b) always gives
8. My parents are lucky. They ---- prizes in competitions.
a) are always winning b) always win
9. Our old car is very unreliable. It ----.
a) is always breaking down b) always breaks down
10. My memory is getting very bad these days. I ---- things.
a) am always forgetting b) always forget
11. He's a really miserable man. He ---- about something.
a) is always complaining b) always complains
12. I ---- Mrs Bailiff in the supermarket.
a) am always meeting b) always meet
Are my answers correct?
Top answer
Too long for me, sorry ...
- Too long for me, sorry ...
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10 Answers
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Hi Linguaphile
Why did you choose the present continuous in sentences 6, 7, 8 and 12? They don't seem to be complaints. Did you choose the present continuous in order to suggest that the habit or repeated activity is extreme or a little baffling?
Why did you choose the present continuous in sentences 6, 7, 8 and 12? They don't seem to be complaints. Did you choose the present continuous in order to suggest that the habit or repeated activity is extreme or a little baffling?
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Hi Linguaphile
Not all. The continuous tense is used with always when you want to give the impression that someone is complaining or nagging or causing problems for you, or something similar.
I would change Nos. 6, 8 and 12. I would change No. 7 as well, but others may think differently. Usage may vary from region to region and country to country. Also, some may consider
Not all. The continuous tense is used with always when you want to give the impression that someone is complaining or nagging or causing problems for you, or something similar.
I would change Nos. 6, 8 and 12. I would change No. 7 as well, but others may think differently. Usage may vary from region to region and country to country. Also, some may consider
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YankeeWhy did you choose the present continuous in sentences 6, 7, 8 and 12? They don't seem to be complaints. Did you choose the present continuous in order to suggest that the habit or repeated activity is extreme or a little baffling?Hi Yankee
Our watches seem to be pretty well synchronized.
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YankeeHi LinguaphileIf yes, would it be justifiable?
Why did you choose the present continuous in sentences 6, 7, 8 and 12? They don't seem to be complaints. Did you choose the present continuous in order to suggest that the habit or repeated activity is extreme or a little baffling?
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Yes, I would say that it is justifiable in your sentences, but you do need to be careful with that sort of usage. There is still a negative flavor to it:
6. Tony is a really kind person. He ---- to help me with my homework.
a) is always offering This suggests that you might see his
6. Tony is a really kind person. He ---- to help me with my homework.
a) is always offering This suggests that you might see his
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Hi, Yankee. Thank you for your explanatory answer. Well, these sentences are from highly respected sources and they use these sentences where they deal with the use of "always" with the present continuous, but they somehow forgot to explain why it is so, but you did. Thank you so much. So you mean the use of "always" with present continuous always entails some kind of overt or covert complaint? Ca
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The reason I said you need to be careful is that when 'always' is used with the present continuous, it is very frequently a complaint.
You can use 'always' and the present continuous when the repeated/habitual activity is seen as quite extreme or perhaps unexplainable. You need to be a bit careful with this because extreme ("too much") is often interpreted as a criticism or complaint.
You can use 'always' and the present continuous when the repeated/habitual activity is seen as quite extreme or perhaps unexplainable. You need to be a bit careful with this because extreme ("too much") is often interpreted as a criticism or complaint.
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In 6,7,8 and 12, actually both alternatives are correct, right? And just because the introductory sentence is negative, the other sentence does not have to be in the continuous, right? Thus making 2 and 3, if not correct, close?
2. My sister really makes me angry. She ---- my things without asking me.
a) is always borrowing b) always borrows
2. My sister really makes me angry. She ---- my things without asking me.
a) is always borrowing b) always borrows
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Hi Linguaphile
In sentences 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 you could also use the simple present tense, but then those sentences wouldn't be as emphatic. In sentence 12, using the simple present tense would tend to change the meaning a bit. Using the simple present tense there could be a reference to regularly planned or arranged meetings at the supermarket.
That's my take.
In sentences 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 you could also use the simple present tense, but then those sentences wouldn't be as emphatic. In sentence 12, using the simple present tense would tend to change the meaning a bit. Using the simple present tense there could be a reference to regularly planned or arranged meetings at the supermarket.
That's my take.
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