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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Habitual reading

Hi. I'm currently studying "habitual reading" and here's a sentence that cannot used to express a habit. "John smokes a cigar." However, after adding some quantification in it, it seems good as in "John smokes a cigar every hour". (I've checked with three native speakers and they says this sentence is perfect to express a habit.) I still got some sentences that need to be checked with native speakers and if it's ok, please help me with this. THANKS A LOT!!!!
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Top answer

Any adverb of frequency will do. John regularly smokes a cigar. (simple adverb) John smokes a cigar after dinner every day.

— AlpheccaStars

  • Any adverb of frequency will do.
  • John regularly smokes a cigar.
  • (simple adverb) John smokes a cigar after dinner every day.
  • (adverbial prepositional phrase) John smokes a cigar whenever he drinks coffee.
  • (adverbial clause ) These emphasize that his habit has become an addiction: John is a habitual smoker.
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4 Answers
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Any adverb of frequency will do.

John regularly smokes a cigar. (simple adverb)
John smokes a cigar after dinner every day. (adverbial prepositional phrase)
John smokes a cigar whenever he drinks coffee. (adverbial clause )

These emphasize that his habit has become an addiction:

John is a habitual smoker.
John is a three-pack-a-day smoker.
John is hooked
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'John smokes cigars' does not need an adverb to show habitual action. 'John smokes a pipe' is fine.
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fivejedjon 'John smokes cigars' does not need an adverb to show habitual action. 'John smokes a pipe' is fine.
I suppose it depends on how the poster's teacher is defining "habitual." How frequently must something happen to call it a habit?
Must it be on a regular basis to be called a habit, or simply that he performs the action on occasion?
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AlpheccaStarsI suppose it depends on how the poster's teacher is defining "habitual." How frequently must something happen to call it a habit?
This is one of the times when over-dependence on labels can be unhelpful. It's one reason that I don't like over-simplifications such as "The present simple is used for regular, repeated or habitual actions".
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