grammar

Question

He is taking a taxi.In this sentence, is 'is taking' present continuous or future?Thans in advance.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

The BE + ing form is always present continuous/progressive. It may, like the present simple, refer to a future action, but .that does no change the name of the tense/aspect

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous He is taking a taxi.In this sentence, is 'is taking' present continuous or future?Thans in advance.

Don't confuse 'tense' with 'time'.

Tense has to do with the verb forms; time has to do with what time period is referred to by the use of the tense.

As for tense, anything with "is" is present tense, and anything with an "-ing" form is a continuous tense (a tense with continuous aspect). Therefore, "is taking" is present continuous.

As for time, He is taking a taxi may refer to present time, as he may be in the taxi being transported somewhere at the time you say the sentence. Or, the same sentence may refer to future time, as he may have arranged to take a taxi later.

To determine the tense, you only need the written words. To determine the time you need the context in which the words are spoken.

CJ

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