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Hoister Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Not + continuous tense
This is from a movie named "Along Came Polly". A husband found her wife cheating on him on honeymoon. He moved on and had a new girlfriend. Few months later, his wife came back asking for a second chance. This is what the husband said on the phone to his girlfriend.
"I told you I'm not getting back together with her(his wife). Okay "
Would you please tell me the reason of using Continuous tense? Why don't he just say "I don't get back with her together" to show that it is a fact and he determined not to forgive his wife? Thanks
"I told you I'm not getting back together with her(his wife). Okay "
Would you please tell me the reason of using Continuous tense? Why don't he just say "I don't get back with her together" to show that it is a fact and he determined not to forgive his wife? Thanks
Top answer
Well, the present continuous tense in your sentence refers to the future, not the present so the simple present won't work. In addition to that, the present continuous is often used (instead of the simple future tense) when talking about people's plans and this seems to be the case here. He didn't just say that on the spur of the moment.
- Well, the present continuous tense in your sentence refers to the future, not the present so the simple present won't work.
- In addition to that, the present continuous is often used (instead of the simple future tense) when talking about people's plans and this seems to be the case here.
- He didn't just say that on the spur of the moment.
- He had already decided that he would not go back to his wife.
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7 Answers
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Well, the present continuous tense in your sentence refers to the future, not the present so the simple present won't work. In addition to that, the present continuous is often used (instead of the simple future tense) when talking about people's plans and this seems to be the case here. He didn't just say that on the spur of the moment. He had already decided that he would not go back to his wif
00
Thanks for your explanation.
Unlike the above example that the husband has some time to consider forgiving her wife,
if the wife demands him to make a decision on the spot, is "I'm not getting back together with you" also a correct tense?
Unlike the above example that the husband has some time to consider forgiving her wife,
if the wife demands him to make a decision on the spot, is "I'm not getting back together with you" also a correct tense?
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HoisterThanks for your explanation.Unlike the above example that the husband has some time to consider forgiving her wife,if the wife demands him to make a decision on the spot, is "I'm not getting back together with you" also a correct tense?
yes
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On what occasion should I use Simple Present Tense (get back together)? Does the following example not refer to the future, and we use the simple tense? Thanks
A:I wanted you to know everything.
B:I need more than the nights in hotel rooms.
A:Why don't you get back together with
A:I wanted you to know everything.
B:I need more than the nights in hotel rooms.
A:Why don't you get back together with
00
Yes, that's fine.
In negative questions , the simple present is more common than the present continuous.
Q: Why don't you visit your father? ( He's expecting you, you know.)
A: Oh,but I'm visiting my father tomorrow.
In negative questions , the simple present is more common than the present continuous.
Q: Why don't you visit your father? ( He's expecting you, you know.)
A: Oh,but I'm visiting my father tomorrow.
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IvanhrYes, that's fine.Thanks again.
In negative questions , the simple present is more common than the present continuous.
Q: Why don't you visit your father? ( He's expecting you, you know.)
A: Oh,but I'm visiting my father tomorrow.
So, do you mean that in this kind of negative questions, the rhythm or habit is more important tha
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No, it's got nothing to do with habit.
Compare
Why don't you visit your father (tomorrow)? (you can ask this if you are unaware of any plans that he/she might have to visit his/her father but you know that his/her father hasn't seen him/her in a while and would love to see them)
Aren't you visiting your father tomorrow? (you thought that he/she is visiting his/her fath
Compare
Why don't you visit your father (tomorrow)? (you can ask this if you are unaware of any plans that he/she might have to visit his/her father but you know that his/her father hasn't seen him/her in a while and would love to see them)
Aren't you visiting your father tomorrow? (you thought that he/she is visiting his/her fath
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