|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
The Cosmic Hum
Joined: 09 May 2003
Location: Sonic Space
|
 Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 5:47 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| YTMND wrote: |
Bob's high school buddy: So Bob, what are your kids up to these days?
Bob: Currently, Johnny is on the swim team, and Cindy is learning the cello.
Does this mean Johnny is swimming and Cindy is practicing the cello right now? |
It means that Johnny is on the swim team, and Cindy is learning the cello at that present period in time.
Currently...in this context, refers to current events. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 5:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| YTMND wrote: |
Another example:
Bob's high school buddy: So Bob, what are your kids up to these days?
Bob: Currently, Johnny is on the swim team, and Cindy is learning the cello.
Does this mean Johnny is swimming and Cindy is practicing the cello? |
Yeah, I don't think "currently" must require the action to be taking place at that moment. It can also function like "recently," as in your example above, present perfect continuous in function. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 5:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| YTMND wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I have currently been looking for a job, but found one at Ding Dong Dang English. |
I don't see why this is wrong. The word "but" or "and" could be used to indicate different ideas.
NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE (or at least something doubtful).
"I have currently been looking for a job, but found one at Ding Dong Dang English." (You found one, BUT maybe it's not the job you want. You are still currently looking for a (better) job.)
If it sounds awkward I agree. I think we drop the "but" and start a new sentence, like, "I have currently been looking for a job. I found one at 3D English. I am not sure I will take it if offered the job."
POSITIVE EXPERIENCE
I have currently been looking for a job, and [I] found one at Ding Dong Dang English. (Indicates more that your searching will end soon or has ended). |
Um shoot, you have a point but that's more just my poor choice of concise words. Change "found" to "took" in the example, as I had meant to express that the job search had ended recently due to the acquisition of a position. I don't think it would lend itself to the situations you described above.
edit: What I'm trying to say is that recently and currently can both function as present perfect continuous (and present continuous, dependent on context), but recently cannot function as present tense, and currently cannot function as past continuous... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
YTMND
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 8:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| The Cosmic Hum wrote: |
| YTMND wrote: |
Bob's high school buddy: So Bob, what are your kids up to these days?
Bob: Currently, Johnny is on the swim team, and Cindy is learning the cello.
Does this mean Johnny is swimming and Cindy is practicing the cello right now? |
It means that Johnny is on the swim team, and Cindy is learning the cello at that present period in time.
Currently...in this context, refers to current events. |
Right, and you could also say, "Recently, __ has been___." |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 8:56 pm Post subject: Re: Lately vs. Recently |
|
|
| T-J wrote: |
He has lost his job lately.
He has lost his job recently.
The first sounds awkward to me but I can't find a good explanation as to why.
The best I could come up with was that events that happen repeatedly can use either and evens that happen once only take recently.
|
Yeah, I think you got it right. But it does seem like there's more to it than that. Do you have Raymond Murphy's book "Grammar in Use" (Cambridge Press)? Usually explains these kinds of things really well.
| Quote: |
| events that happen repeatedly |
...Or maybe continuously... (Sorry. I guess Julius already mentioned that.) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 9:11 pm Post subject: Re: Lately vs. Recently |
|
|
| Julius wrote: |
Also, losing ones job is not a continuous event. So use the simple past tense, not the present tense.
ie
He lost his job recently.
not
"He has lost his job recently" or "He has lost his job lately". |
But what about:
"He has recently lost his job." ?
Or "I've lost my watch."
"I've lost my watch recently." (or "I've recently lost my watch.")
"I've just lost my watch." (Just thought I'd throw that one in there.)
Are you sure both the simple past and the present perfect aren't acceptable? He lost his job and it continues to be lost.
I think the simple past makes more sense as you said, but... anyway, just wondering. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Julius
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 4:23 am Post subject: Re: Lately vs. Recently |
|
|
| isitts wrote: |
Are you sure both the simple past and the present perfect aren't acceptable? He lost his job and it continues to be lost.
I think the simple past makes more sense as you said, but... anyway, just wondering. |
I guess you are right, both can be used. Simple past can mean that he lost his job but found another one. Present perfect means he is still without a job. It is awkward.. and not how I would express it..but...ok.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
