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Sarunnio Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
What are you doing?
Hi There,
I'm a bit confused about the use of present continuous form.
When I asked my friend "What are you doing on late Thursday night? I expected to hear an answer of what he was doing at that moment, which was actually almost on a Thursday midnight.
He then answered me "Tonight?" and "How late". If I ask the question like this. Does it always mean asking about one's planned action in the future?
If so, what the other way to ask people for current activity at a particular time? With a condition, I don't want to use "at the moment". rather, I want to emphasize it had been already late Thursday night and what were you doing? Why didn't you go to bed?
Thanks in Advance,
I'm a bit confused about the use of present continuous form.
When I asked my friend "What are you doing on late Thursday night? I expected to hear an answer of what he was doing at that moment, which was actually almost on a Thursday midnight.
He then answered me "Tonight?" and "How late". If I ask the question like this. Does it always mean asking about one's planned action in the future?
If so, what the other way to ask people for current activity at a particular time? With a condition, I don't want to use "at the moment". rather, I want to emphasize it had been already late Thursday night and what were you doing? Why didn't you go to bed?
Thanks in Advance,
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3 Answers
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In that specific case, "What are you doing up / awake at this hour?" (not in bed) If at three in the morning, "What are you doing up at this (ungodly) hour?" (my mother's expression)
Yes, the question you asked would be taken as "What are you doing right now?" or "What might you be doing a little later?" or "What do you typically do, late on a Thursday night?"
Yes, the question you asked would be taken as "What are you doing right now?" or "What might you be doing a little later?" or "What do you typically do, late on a Thursday night?"
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If you wanted to know what your friend was doing at the moment, 'What are you doing?' would have been enough.
Other more informal posibilities are: 'So, what's up?' or 'What are you up to?'
Since, when you asked the question it was 'almost on a Thursday midnight'. That is, that Thursday was ending, it was logical to assume that you meant not necessari
Other more informal posibilities are: 'So, what's up?' or 'What are you up to?'
Since, when you asked the question it was 'almost on a Thursday midnight'. That is, that Thursday was ending, it was logical to assume that you meant not necessari
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Sarunnio I want to emphasize it had been already late Thursday night and what were you doing? Why didn't you go to bed?What are you doing up so late ( [tonight / on a Thursday night] ) ?
Why are you staying up so late ( [tonight / on a Thursday night] )?
What are you doing (on) {specific day or time}? is asking about plans.
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