The tense

Question

Hi1. Are you learning languages other than English?2. Do you learn languages other than English?---- I know that the 1st one is correct, but what's wrong with the second one?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I would feel more comfortable saying, "Do you STUDY languages other than English?"

Newguest · Answer

Hi

Well, it's not about a word, but about the tense.

Newguest · Answer

I would also say: Do you ... instead of Are you ... but I think the latter and not the former is correct?

CalifJim · Answer

NewguestAre you learning languages other than English?

Are you now in the process of learning other languages?

NewguestDo you learn languages other than English?

Is it your habit to learn other languages from time to time? (There aren't many opportunities in most conversations to ask this question.)

The present simple implies habitual or repeated actions.

CJ

Newguest · Answer

And that's why only the progressive tense works here?

CalifJim · Answer

NewguestAnd that's why only the progressive tense works here?

Exactly!

Are you working on a degree in chemistry?
But not: Do you work on a degree in chemistry?

CJ

Newguest · Answer

OK, so one more question: And that's why only the progressive tense is working here instead of works?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

It can get a little tricky, though.

eg Assume I want to ask about your job.

I'd typically ask 'Do you work for IBM?' ( It's rather like I'm asking if that is your normal routine. )

If I asked 'Are you working for IBM?', it sounds rather like I think you may have a temporary job there.

Best wishes, Clive

CalifJim · Answer

NewguestAnd that's why only the progressive tense is working here instead of works?

As Clive points out above, it's a matter of the meaning you want to convey. The present simple and the present continuous have different meanings. You have to consider the entire sentence as a whole, especially the adverbs of time. These can guide you to the appropriate tense.
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If it makes sense as a habit, you can use the present simple to express that habit.

Do you smoke? Do you watch TV often? What do you do? (=What is your job?) Lucy goes to Chicago every summer. Walter always takes his vitamin pill at breakfast. Do you work at the New York Times? (=Is it your (permanent) habit to work (always) at the New York Times?) Do you live in San Diego? (permanently, as a habit, always)

If it makes sense as an on-going activity, you can use the present continuous to express the activity that is happening at the very moment you are speaking.

Are you reading the paper? What are you doing? (=What activity are you currently in the midst of doing?) Lucy is preparing dinner in the kitchen. Walter is taking a pill with water. Are you working at the New York Times? (=Are you doing work (for now, during only the current time period) at the New York Times?) Are you living in San Diego? (for now, during only the current time period)

Some things make sense only as habits; some make sense only as on-going activities; some make sense as either one. Generally speaking, if the situation indicates more than one occurrence, the present simple can be a good choice; if the situation indicates only one occurrence which is still in progress at the time of your saying so, the present continuous can be a good choice.

Do you read the paper often? (General habit. It happens again and again.)
Are you reading the paper now? (Single current activity still in progress.)
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I sense that you have a tendency to want to use the habitual form for the progressive meaning. You may be able to do that in your own language, but you can't do that in English. In English you'll end up saying something that you don't mean if you make that mistake.

CJ

Newguest · Answer

Thank you for your answers guys!

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