Usage of never

[subhajit123]

Hi there, Which tense I should use with never in the sentence?

"it is the first time I am watching this movie. I have never seen/never saw this movie before."

 

[Tarheel]

Which tense I should use with "never" in the following sentence?

"It is the first time I saw this movie. I have never seen/never saw this movie before."

You can use either one.

 

[GoesStation]

The present perfect is the natural choice for me in both sentences.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I would use 'should I' instead of 'I should' in the OP's question.

 

[Tarheel]

The present perfect is the natural choice for me in both sentences.

I agree. I would say:

This is the first time I have seen this movie. I haven't seen it before.

 

[Matthew Wai]

it is the first time I am watching this movie.

I guess the speaker is watching the movie when s/he says the above.

 

[GoesStation]

"it is the first time I am watching this movie.

I guess the speaker is watching the movie when s/he says the above.

The present continuous is not natural in that context. The present perfect would be.

 

[Matthew Wai]

How could the present perfect, which refers to a completed action, be used when the action is still ongoing (watching the movie)?

 

[Tarheel]

The not having done it before is completed.

 

[Roman55]

How could the present perfect, which refers to a completed action, be used when the action is still ongoing (watching the movie)?

Because it is natural usage. This is the first time I've watched this movie.

If the speaker was watching the movie when the sentence was spoken, the present continuous would be natural in, I am watching this movie for the first time, but not in, it is the first time I am watching this movie.

 

[GoesStation]

How could the present perfect, which refers to a completed action, be used when the action is still ongoing (watching the movie)?

Sadly for students of English, the general rule about perfect tenses does not apply in every case.