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KatiMorton Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Present Progressive/Future Tense?
How to distinguish future tense from the present progressive?
The speaker: I'm having dinner with a friend. Could you recommend a restaurant near by?
I know the speaker is having dinner with a friend in the future because he's asking for restaurant recommendation. But is there a way to distinguish future tense from the present progressive without the ensuing context?
Is it possible to say:
I'm playing piano. Could you recommend a piano tutor?
The speaker: I'm having dinner with a friend. Could you recommend a restaurant near by?
I know the speaker is having dinner with a friend in the future because he's asking for restaurant recommendation. But is there a way to distinguish future tense from the present progressive without the ensuing context?
Is it possible to say:
I'm playing piano. Could you recommend a piano tutor?
Top answer
Hello, Kati—and welcome to English Forums. KatiMorton How to distinguish future tense from the present progressive? As we distinguish among all polysemous words and phrases: using our common sense, general knowledge, and context.
- Hello, Kati—and welcome to English Forums.
- KatiMorton How to distinguish future tense from the present progressive?
- As we distinguish among all polysemous words and phrases: using our common sense, general knowledge, and context.
- KatiMorton But is there a way to distinguish future tense from the present progressive without the ensuing context?
- Obviously not, since they take the same form: I'm having dinner <=> I'm having dinner KatiMorton Is it possible to say:I'm playing piano.
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3 Answers
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Hello, Kati—and welcome to English Forums.
KatiMortonHow to distinguish future tense from the present progressive?As we distinguish among all polysemous words and phrases: using our common sense, general knowledge, and context.
KatiMortonBut is there a way to distinguish future tense from the present progressive without the ensuing conte
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Mister MicawberHello, Kati—and welcome to English Forums.Why is this forum called English forums? I think forum means a place where people can exchange opinions and ideas on a particular issue. I'd call this a English forum rather than "many English forums" since it'
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KatiMortonWhy is this forum called English forums?Please have a look at our main menu, which shows that we have divided the site into a number of forums, each on a different topic, aspect or particular issue of English. Please post any questions you may have in the appropriate forum so that our moderation team does not have to move it.
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