[Grammar] Present simple/continuous
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Which do you think is appropriate, and why?
billmcd
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Ditto, and "on weekends" in AmE.
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I repeat my first comment. Which one do you think is correct, and why? Please try yourself before we just give you the answer.
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bill and ems have suggested that you try first. This is the best way to do it. Once you have tried, they, or somebody else, will comment on your answer.
tom3m
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Well for me there is one reason for and one against: for present continuous : I think it is a temporary action, therefore present continuous should be used but on the other hand it happens regularly - every weekend so I don't really know. (Personally I would be for continuous) Thank you
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White Hat
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I'm not a native speaker either; so, I guess, I'm half forgiven!
In my humble opinion, both could be used here. My conclusion is based on what I heard when I lived in the US.
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Present continuous is not very good here. "I am a student. I am working at the weekends" doesn't sound natural, it would be OK with "weekend" singular. Then it would describe a temporary situation.
tom3m
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Thank you,
I thought it was temporary perhaps because of my imagination. I imagine a student (girl) that is working as a waitress and telling someone that this is just temporary. :-D
billmcd
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As an AmE speaker, I agree. Both could/would be used here in the U.S. What you would typically hear/read in the U.S. is "I am a student. I work weekends." OR
(A) Hey, why don't you join our rugby team? We play every Saturday." (B) Sorry, I can't. I am working weekends. (No preposition/no article in either statement)
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