|
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
sleeper
Joined: 07 Nov 2005
Posts: 67
|
 Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 5:48 am Post subject: We are working at this shop now. |
 |
|
Hi, there.
Today I'd like to ask you two questions.
Question #1.
Look at the following sentences.
#1. We are working at this shop now.
#2. We are working in this shop now.
Are there any differences in meaning between these two sentences?
What is the difference between these two sentences?
Which is more often used in your everyday conversation?
Question #2.
Look at the following dialogue.
A: He's working at an old person's home near his school.
B: Is he working for money?
A: No, he isn't. He's a volunteer. He likes old people.
B: Do you go to the old people's home too?
A: Yes, I do. I sometimes go there too.
I'd like to ask you about the three underlined parts.
The first two underlines: should these parts be 'Present Tense?'
The last underline: does this word 'too' sound funny or awkward, or should this word 'too' be omitted?
I'm looking forward to your answers.
Thanks.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Harmony
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 140
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
| sleeper wrote: |
Look at the following sentences.
#1. We are working at this shop now.
#2. We are working in this shop now.
Are there any differences in meaning between these two sentences?
What is the difference between these two sentences?
Which is more often used in your everyday conversation? |
Hi Sleeper,
#1 means they have been hired by the shop. The shop is the place where they work. They are employees of the shop. This is the most commonly used of the two sentences.
Example: We worked at the XYZ shop for several months, but it closed and we had to find new jobs. We are working at this shop now.
#2 means they are physically inside the shop doing some work. This sentence could be used if they were going from one building to another to do some work inside each of them.
Example: We are installing new phones in many of the shops in this area. We are working in this shop now. After lunch we will work in the shop across the street.
Here's a reference you may find helpful:
http://esl.about.com/library/grammar/blgr_prep1.htm
IN
Use 'in' with spaces:
* in a room / in a building
* in a garden / in a park
Use 'in' with bodies of water:
* in the water
* in the sea
* in a river
Use 'in' with lines:
* in a row / in a line
* in a queue
AT
Use 'at' with places:
* at the bus-stop
* at the door
* at the cinema
* at the end of the street
Use 'at' with places on a page:
* at the top of the page
* at the bottom of the page
Use 'at' in groups of people:
* at the back of the class
* at the front of the class
~ ~ ~ Harmony
Last edited by Harmony on Sat Apr 22, 2006 2:38 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Harmony
Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 140
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 7:14 am Post subject: Re: We are working at this shop now. |
|
|
| sleeper wrote: |
Question #2.
Look at the following dialogue.
A: He's working at an old person's home near his school.
B: Is he working for money?
A: No, he isn't. He's a volunteer. He likes old people.
B: Do you go to the old people's home too?
A: Yes, I do. I sometimes go there too.
I'd like to ask you about the three underlined parts.
The first two underlines: should these parts be 'Present Tense?'
The last underline: does this word 'too' sound funny or awkward, or should this word 'too' be omitted? |
Hi again,
You must have been adding the second question while I was answering the first! 
A very good explanation of the difference between simple present and present continuous (also called present progressive) can be found here:
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/simcon.htm
Here is some information from that page:
The simple present tense is used for two main types of action:
Habits: Actions which happen regularly (every day, every week, etc.)
States: Things which do not often change (opinions, conditions, etc.) The present continuous tense is used for two main types of action:
A temporary action happening now: Something which is going on right now (but will stop in the future)
A definite plan for the future: Something we intend to do, usually in the near future
In the dialogue you provided either tense would make sense, but the present continuous seems slightly more appropriate to me. It's possible that he may not be able continue to work at the home once he's finished his schooling.
Regarding the use of 'too' in the last sentence:
I agree that 'too' sounds a bit awkward, primarily because it echos the previous 'too'. I'd combine the sentences: "Yes, I sometimes go there to help out." or "Yes, I go once in a while."
By the way, "an old person's home" means the home of one person. I think you want "an old persons' home" or to be consistent, "an old people's home".
~ ~ ~ Harmony |
|
| 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
