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Avangi Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Stative verbs in continuous tense
Hi,
I just botched a reply on the above subject, which led me to the following site:
http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/support-files/stative-verbs-list.pdf
More than half of the "illegal" sentences quoted on the site strike me as quite natural with the right context.
These are the ones I find natural. Why are they illegal?
(I'm not asking for a point by point explanation - just a general comment.)
I am wishing I had studied more.
This cake is weighing 450g. (I'm looking at the scale.)
I’m not understanding this question.
I’m supposing John will be late.
Your idea is sounding great.
He wasn’t remembering my name.
I am promising to help you tomorrow.
I am owing you £20.
At three o’clock yesterday I was needing a taxi.
She isn’t minding the noise.
I am liking reading detective stories.
The job is involving a lot of travelling.
This cookbook is including a recipe for bread.
He was impressing me with his story.
Are you hearing music?
I am not feeling that this is a good idea.
I am disagreeing with you.
This is concerning you.
She wasn’t agreeing with us.
Many thanks! - A.
I just botched a reply on the above subject, which led me to the following site:
http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/support-files/stative-verbs-list.pdf
More than half of the "illegal" sentences quoted on the site strike me as quite natural with the right context.
These are the ones I find natural. Why are they illegal?
(I'm not asking for a point by point explanation - just a general comment.)
I am wishing I had studied more.
This cake is weighing 450g. (I'm looking at the scale.)
I’m not understanding this question.
I’m supposing John will be late.
Your idea is sounding great.
He wasn’t remembering my name.
I am promising to help you tomorrow.
I am owing you £20.
At three o’clock yesterday I was needing a taxi.
She isn’t minding the noise.
I am liking reading detective stories.
The job is involving a lot of travelling.
This cookbook is including a recipe for bread.
He was impressing me with his story.
Are you hearing music?
I am not feeling that this is a good idea.
I am disagreeing with you.
This is concerning you.
She wasn’t agreeing with us.
Many thanks! - A.
Top answer
Not 'illegal' (if any grammar structure is), but highly unlikely unless within very specific circumstances. It is extremelyy difficult to construct a stand-alone sentence that others cannot complain is right or wrong under special circumstances that they can bring to their imagination. Among your list, I can find only three that bring no special redeeming circumstances to my mind: This cake is weighing 450g.
- Not 'illegal' (if any grammar structure is), but highly unlikely unless within very specific circumstances.
- It is extremelyy difficult to construct a stand-alone sentence that others cannot complain is right or wrong under special circumstances that they can bring to their imagination.
- Among your list, I can find only three that bring no special redeeming circumstances to my mind: This cake is weighing 450g.
- I am owing you £20.
- This cookbook is including a recipe for bread.
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4 Answers
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Not 'illegal' (if any grammar structure is), but highly unlikely unless within very specific circumstances. It is extremelyy difficult to construct a stand-alone sentence that others cannot complain is right or wrong under special circumstances that they can bring to their imagination. Among your list, I can find only three that bring no special redeeming circumstances to my mind:
T
T
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Well said. Thanks!
(I won't bore you with my "redeeming circumstances" for the lonely three.)
Best wishes,
(I won't bore you with my "redeeming circumstances" for the lonely three.)
Best wishes,
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More than half of the "illegal" sentences quoted on the site strike me as quite natural with the right context.
A common observation.
___________
This topic can be an enormous can of worms. The authors of such dos and don'ts usually mean that the continuous forms are not used "in the intended reading". And of cou
A common observation.
___________
This topic can be an enormous can of worms. The authors of such dos and don'ts usually mean that the continuous forms are not used "in the intended reading". And of cou
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It will come to you the next time you dream about New York or Paris - or maybe Beijing.
Many thanks. A practical approach!
- A.
Many thanks. A practical approach!
- A.
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