What languages do not use present progressive?
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What languages do not use present progressive?
Hi Everyone,
I have to give a presentation to my classmates about present progressive versus simple present. I would like to talk about languages that do not use present progressive. Does any one know of any? If so, could you please give me an example sentence in that language and explain how they would indicate that something is happening in the present moment?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Best,
Juliana
I have to give a presentation to my classmates about present progressive versus simple present. I would like to talk about languages that do not use present progressive. Does any one know of any? If so, could you please give me an example sentence in that language and explain how they would indicate that something is happening in the present moment?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Best,
Juliana
To say “I am working” also indicates my present state, even if technically speaking “working” is the present participle, not an adjective. Interestingly, in French there is no present progressive tense, they use an adjectival phrase which translates, “I am in the process of to work”. A fine line indeed between adjectives and participles!
http://apprendre-anglais.blogspot.com/2 ... esent.html
http://apprendre-anglais.blogspot.com/2 ... esent.html
German has no present progressive tense ("am going"/"are buying"). The German Präsens "ich kaufe" can be translated into English as "I buy" or "I am buying," depending on the context.
http://german.about.com/library/anfang/blanfang04b.htm
http://german.about.com/library/anfang/blanfang04b.htm
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Thanks
These are very helpful examples! I appreciate it.
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Three of Jimbob's examples contain time references, while the third is unlikely to refer to the present unless the speaker were called on their mobile in the middle of the speech. What about these:
I'm going to Texas (said in an airport lounge)
I'm teaching the ESOL class this semester
The bottom line is that in English you need to look at contextual clues to be sure about time - verb forms just don't provide enough of the right kind of information.
I'm going to Texas (said in an airport lounge)
I'm teaching the ESOL class this semester
The bottom line is that in English you need to look at contextual clues to be sure about time - verb forms just don't provide enough of the right kind of information.
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interesting
The reason why I will focus on present progressive to describe the present moment is because I teach beginning ESL students who would not necessarily be ready for the future tense.
However, these are interesting ideas. Maybe I will also mention them during my presentation. Thanks!
However, these are interesting ideas. Maybe I will also mention them during my presentation. Thanks!
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NS in my dialect use the present progressive all the time - it definately needs to be taught - we are guilty of using it for present habit, which confuses Asian students who have memorized the whole present-tense-for-habitual-action thing.
EX:
"Oh, you're looking great! Have you lost weight?"
"Yes, I'm walking every day. I'm also eating less."
EX:
"Oh, you're looking great! Have you lost weight?"
"Yes, I'm walking every day. I'm also eating less."
I don't feel guilty at all; it's my dialect. I was more commenting on the accusatory attitude my students have (habit is present tense! It says so in Azar!) when I teach it. Not in an ESL class; I teach TESOL and one of the grammar units is about the relationship between tense and time. I merely point out that NS sometimes use the progressive when the 'rule' calls for present tense, and vice versa. Consider the rule that actions at the moment of speaking should be in the progressive, and think about cooking shows: "Now I take the egg and beat it with the sugar." There are tonnes of exceptions to what is traditionally taught as definitive present tense/present progressive usage.