• Exciting news! With our new Ad-Free Premium Subscription you can enjoy a distraction-free browsing experience while supporting our site's growth. Without ads, you have less distractions and enjoy faster page load times. Upgrade is optional. Find out more here, and enjoy ad-free learning with us!

progressive/simple II

Status
Not open for further replies.

navi tasan

Key Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
United States
Which of the following is correct:
1-I am on a diet today. I am only eating vegetables.
2-I am on a diet today. I only eat vegetables.
 

dduck

Member
Joined
May 24, 2003
navi tasan said:
Which of the following is correct:
1-I am on a diet today. I am only eating vegetables.
2-I am on a diet today. I only eat vegetables.

The first example uses the present continuous tense. We use this when we're doing the action, NOW. The second example uses the present simple tense, which we use for current habits. So, both answers are correct, but have different meanings.

Iain
 

RonBee

Moderator
Joined
Feb 9, 2003
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
navi tasan said:
Which of the following is correct:
1-I am on a diet today. I am only eating vegetables.
2-I am on a diet today. I only eat vegetables.

Since it is quite unusual for a person to go on a diet of only one day, the first one is unlikely but possible. What it says to me is that the person is only eating vegetables for that day. In the second one, I don't think you can use today at all. Instead, say: "I am on a diet. I only eat vegetables."

:)
 

Tdol

Editor, UsingEnglish.com
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
The second works only if the two sentences are regarded as separate an unconnected. ;-)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top