mooch around/about... do u...

[forum_mail]

Hi folks :- )

1. I've recently come across a funny phrasal verb... "to mooch around" and I've been wondering... do you guys use this one? or is it rather kind of awkward to you? Would such a sentence be possible? :

He mooched around the house in his pyjamas.

2. Ok, next one. There is no difference IN MEANING to me... but hopefully you will name the difference between:

a) He mooched around the house...
b) He was mooching around the house...

3. Is this one correct: /I've recently come across a funny phrasal verb... "to mooch around" and I've been wondering... do you guys use this one?/

Or maybe there should be "I was wondering" ?!

best wishes!

[Tdol]

1 It's fine- I use it.
2 Without any more context, there's little difference.
3 We often use 'was wondering' to introuduce something, but your form works to.

[bunnyboiler]

Originally Posted by forum_mail

Hi folks :- )

a) He mooched around the house...
b) He was mooching around the house...

I would say as follows:

a) He mooched around the house... is past tense.
This is something he has done. e.g., Tom mooched around the house all day.

b) He is mooching around the house... present tense.
This is something he is doing it now. e.g. What are you doing? Oh nothing much, just mooching around the house...

[sgl]

so can i assume that "mooch around the house" is similar in meaning to "walk around the house"?

bunny, the second form is present progressive tense, the present tense form is "he mooches around the house".

[bunnyboiler]

Point 2 taken.

Definition of Mouch, bum, cadge, grub, sponge.
(according to //http://www.wordreference.com/definition/mooching)

However, we (People in the NW of England) use it more in the context of:
bum, chill, veg.

In other words we would use it to make known, that we did nothing of anything importance.

Let me know if you disagree with my Northen interpretation

[Tdol]

I haven't heard the bum/cadge usage in the south.