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Guzhao67 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Will be ING vs Past progressive
Hello; the following text was taken from a grammar book, and i can't see the point the author wanted to convey.
"Other uses of the progressive aspect It may be used especially following the auxiliary will or shall with the special implication that the action will take place 'as a matter of course' in the future: I'll be seeing you next week. Note: 'The 'matter-of-course' implication of will or shall with the progressive is also found with other modal auxiliaries, and possibly also with the past progressive in conversational contexts; eg: I was talking to Anne, and she was telling me that the job is still vacant. In contrast to the simple past talked and told, the progressive here suggests a casual chat rather than a purposeful discussion."
My question is: what's the "matter of course" implication in ' I was talking to Anne, and she was telling me ..."; and why ING form is more conversational in contrast to simple form? I can't see any link between "will be ING" and past progressive. could you help me? thank you.
"Other uses of the progressive aspect It may be used especially following the auxiliary will or shall with the special implication that the action will take place 'as a matter of course' in the future: I'll be seeing you next week. Note: 'The 'matter-of-course' implication of will or shall with the progressive is also found with other modal auxiliaries, and possibly also with the past progressive in conversational contexts; eg: I was talking to Anne, and she was telling me that the job is still vacant. In contrast to the simple past talked and told, the progressive here suggests a casual chat rather than a purposeful discussion."
My question is: what's the "matter of course" implication in ' I was talking to Anne, and she was telling me ..."; and why ING form is more conversational in contrast to simple form? I can't see any link between "will be ING" and past progressive. could you help me? thank you.
Top answer
As a matter of course = one thing leads naturally to another thing. , Mr. X is an excellent teacher, so his classes are crowded as a matter of course.
- As a matter of course = one thing leads naturally to another thing.
- , Mr.
- X is an excellent teacher, so his classes are crowded as a matter of course.
- Look at how this casual chat naturally and smoothly leads from one thing to another; a wife is speaking to her husband: Darling, I WAS TALKING with Mona about apple pie recipes, and she WAS TELLING me that her husband ISN'T EATING well because of employee problems.
- Then he walks in and IS COMPLAINING that he can't find good workers, so I tell him you ARE LOOKING for work.
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5 Answers
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As a matter of course = one thing leads naturally to another thing. E.g., Mr. X is an excellent teacher, so his classes are crowded as a matter of course. Look at how this casual chat naturally and smoothly leads from one thing to another; a wife is speaking to her husband: Darling, I WAS TALKING with Mona about apple pie recipes, and she WAS TELLING me that her husband ISN'T EATING well becau
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Wow, I really had to think about that one.
The "matter of couse implication" in "I was talking..." simply means that she hadn't made it a point to speak with Ann about the vacancy: It just came up in the conversation. The reason the -ing form is more conversational is because that is how it's been regularly used in the context of speech, and how most people would interpret it.
The "matter of couse implication" in "I was talking..." simply means that she hadn't made it a point to speak with Ann about the vacancy: It just came up in the conversation. The reason the -ing form is more conversational is because that is how it's been regularly used in the context of speech, and how most people would interpret it.
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kimlroblesI can't believe I just wrote the reason is because! oopsis because is fine on its own!
(Twenty lashes with a wet noodle.)
Will do better next time.
Will do better next time.
Will do better next time.
...
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I acknowledge my sin and have repented.
(Never say the reason is because!)
(Never say the reason is because!)
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