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Usenet Posted 16 years ago
Usage
Use of present continuous for long-term actions
In the following sentence, why is the present continuous used?
"The two of them are always getting into fights."
And what is the difference between the sentence above and the sentence below, with the present simple:
"The two of them always get into fights."
I have not been satisfied by the explanations given in course books and I'm trying to find a clear, succinct way of explaining the distinction to students. I'm having a hard time seeing any difference myself (as a native speaker).
"The two of them are always getting into fights."
And what is the difference between the sentence above and the sentence below, with the present simple:
"The two of them always get into fights."
I have not been satisfied by the explanations given in course books and I'm trying to find a clear, succinct way of explaining the distinction to students. I'm having a hard time seeing any difference myself (as a native speaker).
Top answer
He always buys me lovely presents. (Present tense) 2. He is always buying me lovely presents.
- He always buys me lovely presents.
- (Present tense) 2.
- He is always buying me lovely presents.
- (Present Continuous) Can you see that in (1), the emphasis is that the present he gives me is 'always lovely' - this might be on my birthday, and at Christmas.
- In (2), the emphasis is on the frequency, where 'always' now has the connotation of buying a present for me at the drop of a hat, no special occasion.
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1 Answers
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Look at these two sentences:
1.He always buys me lovely presents. (Present tense)
2. He is always buying me lovely presents. (Present Continuous)
Can you see that in (1), the emphasis is that the present he gives me is 'always lovely' - this might be on my birthday, and at Christmas.
In (2), the emphasis is on the frequency, where 'always' now has the connot
1.He always buys me lovely presents. (Present tense)
2. He is always buying me lovely presents. (Present Continuous)
Can you see that in (1), the emphasis is that the present he gives me is 'always lovely' - this might be on my birthday, and at Christmas.
In (2), the emphasis is on the frequency, where 'always' now has the connot
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