Korean Job Discussion Forums

topas · Joined: 25 Apr 2007

Could someone explain to me why we don't use the progressive tenses of to have when have indicates possession? Please? I can't figure it out and it's making me crazy.

Rapacious Mr. Batstove · Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Location: Central Areola

Sorry, I'm no grammar expert. But, I can suggest if you structure your question a little clearer and provide some examples, then I'm sure you'll get some help.

ernie · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Location: asdfghjk

because "have" is not an action verb in that case... saying "i'm knowing her" is similarly incorrect because to know and to have are states, not actions...

however, you can say "i'm having a good time" because that IS an action... most of these verbs have both action and non-action forms... this is hell for EFL students for sure...

topas · Joined: 25 Apr 2007

Thanks ernie! That's a big help.

antoniothegreat · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Location: Yangpyeong

remember the horrible part about english, for some reason, some things work that way. why? maybe because about 5 languages heavily influenced ours. or some other reason.

there are more verbs like this, for example, know, love, hate and see.

we dont say "i am seeing you."

rico4444 · Joined: 16 Jul 2007

Not all grammar has understandable and explainable rules that make sense. When I teach "to have" with students, I explain that progressive cannot be used with possession and can be used with experience...."I am having a good time." If you want to know "why" this is the rule, maybe you can check Swan and see what he says. Remeber, we have a zillion rules and a zillion exceptions, and not all of them even make sense to native speakers. We just follow the rules and teach 'em. Smile

Flower Pig · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Location: On a jet plane

Years ago when I was learning Korean and something didn't make sense and our Korean teacher was at a loss for explanation she would simply say, "I don't know why. Ask my ancestors." I now use that same line on my students for situations like these...works like a charm everytime!

fancypants · Joined: 22 May 2005

verbs like "have", "hate", "see" are called stative verbs. the others are called dynamic verbs. they are pretty hard to wrap your brain around, for sure. mcdonalds doesn't help with their pabo slogan "i'm loving it". the university of victoria has a dynamite esl grammar website where you can learn more about this grammar point and lots more:

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/stat.htm