0
Allthewayanime Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
While + present simple or present continuous
Hello, there's one thing confusing me. In this example (taken from a grammar exercise):
She usually feeds the cat and switches on the TV to watch the news while she has/is having breakfast.
is has or is having correct? Or maybe both sound good? I know that there's usually implying Present Simple, but on the other hand while seems to refer to an action in progress. I'd like to know what the opinion of native speakers is.
She usually feeds the cat and switches on the TV to watch the news while she has/is having breakfast.
is has or is having correct? Or maybe both sound good? I know that there's usually implying Present Simple, but on the other hand while seems to refer to an action in progress. I'd like to know what the opinion of native speakers is.
Top answer
One non-native speaker - me - thinks both are correct. CB
- One non-native speaker - me - thinks both are correct.
- CB
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
6 Answers
0
0
Hi,
It sounds O.K.
Have a look at the following example:
When he is taking an exam, he becomes nervous = When he takes an exam, he becomes nervous.
The usage of the continuous tense within those subordinate clauses sounds fine.
Regards
It sounds O.K.
Have a look at the following example:
When he is taking an exam, he becomes nervous = When he takes an exam, he becomes nervous.
The usage of the continuous tense within those subordinate clauses sounds fine.
Regards
00
So both has/is having are fine?Is there a difference between these 2 choices?
00
Hi,
In this context either will do. There's no real difference in the intended meaning.
Regards
In this context either will do. There's no real difference in the intended meaning.
Regards
00
Use there 'has' needs 'been having' thus there this possibility automatically is excluded. U must use while she is having breakfast, of course. Correct is continuous expression to express continuous activities, 'while' points this out that something is some exact continuous activity.
00
allthewayanimeI know that there's "usually", implying Present SimpleCorrect, though "usually" isn't part of the clause about breakfast. I think what we should take away from this sentence is that it is always during the time that she has breakfast that feeding the cat and switching on th
0
Related Questions