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Nina_Nia Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

My sentences

Hello,

Is anything wrong with these sentences?

My grandmother doesn't work. She is on pension. (Can I use 'is not working?)

Where does your cousin work? He works at a hospital.

Thanks
  

Top answer

My grandmother doesn't work. She is on pension. -- 'Isn't working' suggests that she might get a job in the future.

— Mister Micawber

  • My grandmother doesn't work.
  • She is on pension.
  • -- 'Isn't working' suggests that she might get a job in the future.
  • Where does your cousin work?
  • He works at a hospital.
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12 Answers
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My grandmother doesn't work. She is on pension. -- 'Isn't working' suggests that she might get a job in the future.

Where does your cousin work? He works at a hospital.-- OK
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It was given in a test without any context at all. So it's not a mistake to use either, right?

Thanks
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Yes, it is a 'mistake' to use the progressive there.
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Is it the same with this sentence too?

My wife learns/is learning French and German. No context was given. It was just a single sentence.

Thanks
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If I am being asked for the natural sentence in each case, then here only the continuous form works. Much of your English study will be devoted not to what is grammatically possible to construct, but what is in real use. These are natural:

My wife is learning French and German.
My wife studies French and German.
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So I should remember that the verb to learn is always used in the progressive and to study is used in simple present. Never vice versa. But does present continous in your first sentence suggest that the action is temporary?
Why have I always been told that using the verb to study when talking about languages is wrong?
Thanks
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I cannot surmise what any of your 'teachers' have told you. I can only repeat: much of your English study will be devoted not to what is grammatically possible to construct, but what is in real use.
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So as far as I understood, If somebody still says; 'My wife is studying French' instead of 'studies' it will be correct , but it will not sound natural, right?
Please answer this question it's a very important one; My wife is learning French and German. It is a temporary action isn't it?

Thanks







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So as far as I understood, If somebody still says; 'My wife is studying French' instead of 'studies' it will be correct , but it will not sound natural, right?-- With 'study', both sound natural.
Please answer this question it's a very important one; My wife is learning French and German. It is a temporary action isn't it?-- No, it is a current activity.
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I don't undertsand why this sentence can't be regarded as a temporary activity.Emotion: tongue tied

Thanks
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