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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Simple Present Tense In this Sentence
Sentence: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel had "no other choice" but to stop the flotilla of ships which tried to break the Gaza blockade on Monday.
Rule: Simple present express habituality (except when dealing with stative verbs).
Question: How come 'say' doesn't express habituality in the above, but instead expresses something happening now?
Side note:Thank you very much.
Rule: Simple present express habituality (except when dealing with stative verbs).
Question: How come 'say' doesn't express habituality in the above, but instead expresses something happening now?
Side note:Thank you very much.
Top answer
Cf. 1. Ben tells me the bathroom is occupied.
- Cf.
- 1.
- Ben tells me the bathroom is occupied.
- 2.
- Ben thinks we should go now.
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11 Answers
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Cf.
1. Ben tells me the bathroom is occupied.
2. Ben thinks we should go now.
3. Ben knows what the answer is.
4. Ben feels we should tell him now.
5. Ben wants to do it tomorrow.
Reporting verbs of communication, thought, understanding, etc. often express the non-habitual present, in the present simple.
Best wishes,
MrP
1. Ben tells me the bathroom is occupied.
2. Ben thinks we should go now.
3. Ben knows what the answer is.
4. Ben feels we should tell him now.
5. Ben wants to do it tomorrow.
Reporting verbs of communication, thought, understanding, etc. often express the non-habitual present, in the present simple.
Best wishes,
MrP
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The rule is wrong if taken to mean that habituality is the only thing the present can express.
For example, it can express the future as well.
I leave on the midnight train.
You are, I suppose, interested in the conditions under which the simple present does not express either habituality or the future. To be perfectly honest, I don't know precisely what
For example, it can express the future as well.
I leave on the midnight train.
You are, I suppose, interested in the conditions under which the simple present does not express either habituality or the future. To be perfectly honest, I don't know precisely what
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And yes, CJ, I was limiting the use of the simple present too much, deliberately, albeit stupidly.
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MrPedantic it means "Compare".
Thanks.
MrPedanticI'm sorryDon't be. I've been on here long enough for you to assume I know that
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I have another question:
Sentence: I've been on here long enough for you to assume I know that.
Rule: Stative verbs in the simple present express something happening now.
Question: Why does 'know' express a habit here?
Thanks
Sentence: I've been on here long enough for you to assume I know that.
Rule: Stative verbs in the simple present express something happening now.
Question: Why does 'know' express a habit here?
Thanks
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English 1b3Question: Why does 'know' express a habit here?It doesn't. You don't know it, and then know it again, and then know it again!
It's a state, not a habit like playing tennis on Saturdays.
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Hi,
Right, state. Thanks. So non-continuous verbs in the simple present don't always express something happening currently? Is this a rare case? Or does it often express states etc?
Right, state. Thanks. So non-continuous verbs in the simple present don't always express something happening currently? Is this a rare case? Or does it often express states etc?
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I read the following on the present simple:
Speakers sometimes use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with Non-Continuous Verbs and certain
Speakers sometimes use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with Non-Continuous Verbs and certain
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