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Murof Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Present Progressive Tense
I read the following sentence, but don't understand why I cannot just use present tense instead. Is it because that "increasingly" have some meanings represent progressive tense? Thanks!
Because uranium is the heaviest, and therfore the most penetrating, of natural metals, it is being increasingly used in the production of bullets.
Because uranium is the heaviest, and therfore the most penetrating, of natural metals, it is being increasingly used in the production of bullets.
Top answer
Hi, Yes, you're right. 'Increasingly' stresses progression, and so does the tense here, so together they make a strong emphasis. Best wishes, Clive
- Hi, Yes, you're right.
- 'Increasingly' stresses progression, and so does the tense here, so together they make a strong emphasis.
- Best wishes, Clive
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11 Answers
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Hi,
Yes, you're right. 'Increasingly' stresses progression, and so does the tense here, so together they make a strong emphasis.
Best wishes, Clive
Yes, you're right. 'Increasingly' stresses progression, and so does the tense here, so together they make a strong emphasis.
Best wishes, Clive
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Thanks, Clive!
So is there any other word that may have such 'progressive' meaning, as "increasingly" here?
-M
So is there any other word that may have such 'progressive' meaning, as "increasingly" here?
-M
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I ... don't understand why I cannot just use present tense instead
"... it is used increasingly in the production of bullets."
I don't understand it either. Who is telling you that you cannot use present tense?
CJ
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Oh, i see, we can use present tense, actually!
So if say "... it is used increasingly in the production of bullets", the meaning of it is a bit changed from the original one, right? It now represents a fact instead of a "trend", "procedure"... isn't it?
-M
So if say "... it is used increasingly in the production of bullets", the meaning of it is a bit changed from the original one, right? It now represents a fact instead of a "trend", "procedure"... isn't it?
-M
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Hello Murof
The present passive is fine here, and would probably be preferred in a newspaper article or dissertation.
The present passive progressive does give a little extra sense of "nowness"; but as Clive has said, the "increasingly" already contributes to the impression of "a process happening now".
MrP
The present passive is fine here, and would probably be preferred in a newspaper article or dissertation.
The present passive progressive does give a little extra sense of "nowness"; but as Clive has said, the "increasingly" already contributes to the impression of "a process happening now".
MrP
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Murof,
Yes, you can actually use present tense. Yes, the meaning is a bit changed, but the difference is minimal.
I have a tendency to explain such differences in impressionistic terms, so I'll just say that, to my ear, "is used" (in the given context) is a more remote and aloof formulation, cooler and, as you say, more factual, while "is being used" is a more immediat
Yes, you can actually use present tense. Yes, the meaning is a bit changed, but the difference is minimal.
I have a tendency to explain such differences in impressionistic terms, so I'll just say that, to my ear, "is used" (in the given context) is a more remote and aloof formulation, cooler and, as you say, more factual, while "is being used" is a more immediat
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MrP,
Now I understand after reading your and CJ's explanation. So the present passive expresses a more critical tune, and probably more commonly used nowadays.
-M
Now I understand after reading your and CJ's explanation. So the present passive expresses a more critical tune, and probably more commonly used nowadays.
-M
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