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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Difference???
Hello,I´m an intermediate student in English and I would like to know if anybody can explain me the difference between a sentence in the present simple with always ( which is a habit, as fas as I know), and a sentence in the present continuous with always as well ( which I reckon it is a repeated situation, as I´ve been taught).
After all the examples I´ve seen, I´ve deduced the difference is that the present simple is normally accompanied by a frequency (I mean, every two hours or every day) and the present continuous is not, although it can br accompanied by "all the time". Is this correct?
After all the examples I´ve seen, I´ve deduced the difference is that the present simple is normally accompanied by a frequency (I mean, every two hours or every day) and the present continuous is not, although it can br accompanied by "all the time". Is this correct?
Top answer
Hello It depends on what kind of verbs you use. Furthermore you can use the same verb sometimes in the simple present and sometimes in the present continuous. (EX) She always looks young.
- Hello It depends on what kind of verbs you use.
- Furthermore you can use the same verb sometimes in the simple present and sometimes in the present continuous.
- (EX) She always looks young.
- [look: stative verb] (EX) She is always looking forward.
- [look: dynamic verb] paco
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10 Answers
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Hello
It depends on what kind of verbs you use. Furthermore you can use the same verb sometimes in the simple present and sometimes in the present continuous.
(EX) She always looks young. [look: stative verb]
(EX) She is always looking forward. [look: dynamic verb]
paco
It depends on what kind of verbs you use. Furthermore you can use the same verb sometimes in the simple present and sometimes in the present continuous.
(EX) She always looks young. [look: stative verb]
(EX) She is always looking forward. [look: dynamic verb]
paco
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He always knows the right answer.
*He is always knowing the right answer. (Impossible with certain stative verbs.)
?He knows the right answer all the time.
??*He knows the right answer every day.
*He always reads. (Impossible with certain activities.)
He reads all the time.
He reads every day.
He is always reading.
?He is reading all th
*He is always knowing the right answer. (Impossible with certain stative verbs.)
?He knows the right answer all the time.
??*He knows the right answer every day.
*He always reads. (Impossible with certain activities.)
He reads all the time.
He reads every day.
He is always reading.
?He is reading all th
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Ok, thank you very much for your reply. I think that explanation has helped me quite a lot. So, it all depends on the verb you use, doesn't it?
In the case of the stative verbs, it must be used in the present simple, as it doesn´t allow the present simple (e.g.: He never believes anything I say) , and in the case of the dynamic verbs it can be used in the present simple if it is
In the case of the stative verbs, it must be used in the present simple, as it doesn´t allow the present simple (e.g.: He never believes anything I say) , and in the case of the dynamic verbs it can be used in the present simple if it is
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Dear Mr Paco, thank you for your reply.
With your reply, I have understood that the stative verbs cannot be used in the present continuous even though they have got a continuous meaning, as in this example: He always believes me even if I deceive him from times to times. But in the dynamic verbs, which is my main concern, can be used either in the present simple, when it is acco
With your reply, I have understood that the stative verbs cannot be used in the present continuous even though they have got a continuous meaning, as in this example: He always believes me even if I deceive him from times to times. But in the dynamic verbs, which is my main concern, can be used either in the present simple, when it is acco
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Dear Calif Jim,
I think I haven´t understood it at all. Can you use the same sentence with dynamic verbs and it means the same or there is a change in the meaning?
For example, what´s the difference between the following sentences you have written:
-He always reads cheap paperback novels. -He´s always reading cheap paperback novels.
I think I haven´t understood it at all. Can you use the same sentence with dynamic verbs and it means the same or there is a change in the meaning?
For example, what´s the difference between the following sentences you have written:
-He always reads cheap paperback novels. -He´s always reading cheap paperback novels.
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Well, I think, there is a little bit difference between "He always reads cheap paperback novels," and "He is always reading cheap paperback novels".
First sentence indicates his hibitual action. He never reads expensive novels. He reads only cheap paperback novels.
Second sentence indicates annoying or irritating. ( I told him not to rea
First sentence indicates his hibitual action. He never reads expensive novels. He reads only cheap paperback novels.
Second sentence indicates annoying or irritating. ( I told him not to rea
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Dear Kyawphonehlaing,
Thank you very much for your interest, but the thing is that I´ve also read in some books that the present continuous doesn´t necessarily have to be annoying or irritating, even though it could be.
For example, what can you tell me about this sentence which I found in a text book to explain the phenomenom?: She´s always giving me presents. (
Thank you very much for your interest, but the thing is that I´ve also read in some books that the present continuous doesn´t necessarily have to be annoying or irritating, even though it could be.
For example, what can you tell me about this sentence which I found in a text book to explain the phenomenom?: She´s always giving me presents. (
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-He always reads cheap paperback novels.
-He´s always reading cheap paperback novels.
-He always wins.
-He´s always winning.
The simple tense is emotionally remote, I'd say. It seems only to state a fact.
The continuous tense adds a sense of immediacy. It gives the impression that the speaker may have personally observed or been invo
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Hello Mr A !
"Always + present progressive tense" indicates annoying, irritating and repeated action as well.
That's why, "She´s always giving me presents." indicates her repeated action.
Kyaw Phone Hlaing
"Always + present progressive tense" indicates annoying, irritating and repeated action as well.
That's why, "She´s always giving me presents." indicates her repeated action.
Kyaw Phone Hlaing
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Thank you very much for everybody who has posted a message in this Thread, I think with everybody´s help, I´m starting to get the difference.
I´m pleased with everybody who has tried to help me and some have succeeded. Really, thank you for everybody--Arthur
I´m pleased with everybody who has tried to help me and some have succeeded. Really, thank you for everybody--Arthur
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