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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Can I use the simple present for continous actions ?

Good evening,

My question is very simple: to express the ideia of something that I've started doing in the past and I'm still doing, can I use the simple present ? For example:

"I carry this problem for too long."

Or do I have to say it using the Present Continuous ?

"I'm carrying this for too long."

Or both can be used ?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Mike
  

Top answer

My question is very simple: to express the ideia of something that I've started doing in the past and I'm still doing, can I use the simple present ? -- No, and you cannot use the present continuous either. '

— Mister Micawber

  • My question is very simple: to express the ideia of something that I've started doing in the past and I'm still doing, can I use the simple present ?
  • -- No, and you cannot use the present continuous either.
  • '
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5 Answers
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My question is very simple: to express the ideia of something that I've started doing in the past and I'm still doing, can I use the simple present ? -- No, and you cannot use the present continuous either. That situation calls for present perfect continuous: 'I have been carrying this problem...' Depending on the verb, you can also use present perfect simple: 'I have eaten 7 of these b
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Thank you for answering. Because the example uses "for so long" I thought I could use the Simple Present because the idea of continuity from the past until the present was already expressed.
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No; that remains the function of the verb, though you may add other parts of speech to refine the idea.
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Would you please provide me an ideia ?
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Sorry, but I don't understand. What kind of idea are you looking for?
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