11-Aug-2004, 07:47
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 Re: More on present simple, present continuous
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Originally Posted by MikeNewYork Quote: |
Originally Posted by Jeremy Taylor I think one important point is that with the present simple, the speaker sees the event as a permanent event. For example, when I was 12, I told a girl, I love you, not, I am loving you, because AT THAT MOMENT I thought it would last forever - even though it only lasted three days.
On the other hand, At the age of 18, I started looking for a wife. I'm 41 now and I'm still looking. I see this as a TEMPORARY event, as when I find HER, I'll stop looking - so I use the present contonuous - despite the fact that the event has been going on for 26 years!
Interesting, isn't it? | I really don't agree with your statement that present simple = permanent event. We use present simple in different situations.
I drive to work. (describes a habit)
I like pizza. (my feeling at the moment)
I leave for Europe tomorrow. (a future scheduled event)
I sentence you to ten years in jail. (a pronouncement) | mistakie... |