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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Simple present tense for continuous

Do your reading until I get back.

Is this an example of simple present being used to imply continuous action?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

'Do' is not simple present. It is not even indicative mood. It is imperative mood .

— Mister Micawber

  • 'Do' is not simple present.
  • It is not even indicative mood.
  • It is imperative mood .
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9 Answers
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'Do' is not simple present. It is not even indicative mood. It is imperative mood.
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How about:

Why do you play? vs. Why are you playing?
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How about them? What do you wish to know?
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are they interchangeable?
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No.

Why do you play?-- Generally. The listener is probably not playing now.

Why are you playing?-- The listener is playing now.
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Mister MicawberWhy do you play?-- Generally. The listener is probably not playing now.
Why are you playing?
What about these?

Why do you play now? (Not continuous?)
Why are you playing now?

Do you see that man over there? (Isn't the present tense being used for continuous in this context?)
Are you seeing that man over there? (Obv
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Why do you play now?-- Bad English

Do you see that man over there? -- Linking verbs, verbs of sensation, and a few others appear in simple present for a current activity. See your grammar book for a list of these verbs.


He plays the console now-- Bad English unless 'now' means 'these days' (he no longer plays the flute).
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Mister MicawberDo you see that man over there? -- Linking verbs, verbs of sensation, and a few others appear in simple present for a current activity. See your grammar book for a list of these verbs.
May I ask is 'fulfill' one of those verbs? It is not listed in my grammar book.

I'm not fulfilling the criteria for entry.
I do not fulfill the crit
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Yes, under normal circumstances, stating your present condition would read 'I do not fulfill the requirements'.
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