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Tenacious Learner Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
The Simple Present and Present Progressive in Narrative
Hi Teachers,
Could you tell me if they are appropriate definitions? Could they be better or easier?
I don't know if in the definition below the bold word 'present' is appropriate.
Using the Simple Present in Narrative
a) The simple present is used to narrate present events that happen one after another. In other words, we use the simple present to narrate the principal events of the story.
Could this one be better?
b) The simple present is used to narrate present events in chronological order. In other words, we use the simple present to narrate the principal events of the story.
Using the Present Progressive in Narrative
The present progressive is used to narrate a situation that is in progress now.
Thanks in advance
Could you tell me if they are appropriate definitions? Could they be better or easier?
I don't know if in the definition below the bold word 'present' is appropriate.
Using the Simple Present in Narrative
a) The simple present is used to narrate present events that happen one after another. In other words, we use the simple present to narrate the principal events of the story.
Could this one be better?
b) The simple present is used to narrate present events in chronological order. In other words, we use the simple present to narrate the principal events of the story.
Using the Present Progressive in Narrative
The present progressive is used to narrate a situation that is in progress now.
Thanks in advance
Top answer
Simple present isn't used for chronology. It's used for: habits, facts, preferences, and schedules. A series of events would look like: I went to the store, bought some milk, and went home.
- Simple present isn't used for chronology.
- It's used for: habits, facts, preferences, and schedules.
- A series of events would look like: I went to the store, bought some milk, and went home.
- All simple past.
- Present progressive works much better to narrate current events: I am going to the store.
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3 Answers
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Simple present isn't used for chronology. It's used for: habits, facts, preferences, and schedules.
A series of events would look like: I went to the store, bought some milk, and went home.
All simple past.
Present progressive works much better to narrate current events: I am going to the store.
A series of events would look like: I went to the store, bought some milk, and went home.
All simple past.
Present progressive works much better to narrate current events: I am going to the store.
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This is an old question. But maybe you or someone else will be interested.
I am not a teacher. I am a songwriter.
First of all I disagree with the accepted answer.
1. The simple present CAN be used to narrate events that happened one after another in the past or even will happen one after another in the future. That's what it is for. But it is used rather for dramatic pu
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