The progressive-aspect tag has no wiki summary.
2
votes
1answer
197 views
Is it okay to use Past Simple with Past Progressive for two consecutive actions?
Is it okay to use Past Simple with Past Progressive for two consecutive actions?
For example,
"She added some water to the flour and was mixing it until she got a lump of dough"
or should it be
...
3
votes
3answers
126 views
“Be able to,” “can” in reduced relative pronouns
I am trying to remember whether the sentences below are correct:
I don't know this guy being able to complete this task.
I don't know this guy can complete this task.
I think the first one is ...
2
votes
3answers
6k views
“I had a dinner” vs. “I was having a dinner”
A friend of mine showed a video on her Facebook wall post. She posted this:
I had a dinner with Chinese friends, I was happy at that moment!!
Should it be "I was having a dinner" instead of "I ...
0
votes
3answers
1k views
What's the difference between “I want” and “I am wanting”?
What is the difference between the two?
Why and where is the latter very strange sounding variant used?
9
votes
1answer
536 views
“You were already having been going to do that!”
From one of the Futurama episodes:
Farnsworth A: You people and your
slight differences disgust me. I'm
going home. Where's that blue box with
our universe in it?
Farnsworth 1: Oh,
...
5
votes
4answers
3k views
“Will be doing” vs. “will do”
What's the difference between:
I will be eating cakes tomorrow.
I will eat cakes tomorrow.
And, when should I use the first form?
0
votes
1answer
73 views
“They develop skills at this age” vs. “they are developing skills at this age”
Which one is correct? If both are correct, are there any differences in meaning?
For children, the age of 3 is very
critical time, because they develop
their language skills rapidly at this
...
3
votes
5answers
315 views
Is “be wearing” improper English?
If I were to say,
Can't I just be wearing my swim suit already?
Would "be wearing" be improper English?
45
votes
4answers
3k views
How do the tenses in English correspond temporally to one another?
Non-native speakers often get confused about what the tenses in English mean. With input from some of the folk here I've put together a diagram that I hope will provide some clarity on the matter.
I ...
0
votes
2answers
321 views
Subjunctive mood, progressive and perfect progressive tense
Are the following usages of subjunctive mood, progressive tense correct?
If I be being your wife a shrew, you have the option of divorcing me.
If I were being crowned May queen, I would ...
4
votes
6answers
19k views
What's the difference between “I look forward to” and “I'm looking forward to”?
I just don't get the reasoning behind which one is correct in which situation.
Typically I use the wrong one, or I use them when I'm not supposed to.
12
votes
7answers
2k views
“I'm lovin' it”
How normal-sounding is the slogan "I'm lovin' it" to native ears?
I know it sounded quite odd to me when I first heard it — and it still sometimes does —, but I can't even tell why. Sure, love is ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
Present Progressive or Present Continuous?
What is the correct term used to describe this tense in English — Present Progressive or Present Continuous? I see both terms used in grammar books.
2
votes
3answers
483 views
Past continuous or past simple?
In this sentence, should I use past continuous form of the verb or past simple or it in the gap?
Last night, I was sleeping in my bed, when I ------- (hear) a terrible noise. I ------ (get up) ...
21
votes
1answer
1k views
“The ticket is printing” vs “…is being printed”
You're standing in front of a ticket vending machine and it says "The ticket is printing". Is that correct or should it be "The ticket is being printed"?
EDIT:
If both are correct, which one should ...
4
votes
3answers
594 views
The times are a-changing? Why a-?
I'm Italian so I don't know English very well.
While listening to Bob Dylan songs I've heard some strange use of progressive tense (is that the correct term?), the title of this question is one ...
5
votes
3answers
642 views
Use of past and progressive tense
Can someone tell me which, if any, of the following sentences are correct:
When she walked in, he was laying on the bed.
When she walked in, he was laid on the bed.
When she walked in, he ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
Make “will have been going to go” correct
Is there a situation or question where the phrase will have been going to go is the best, most natural, or clearest response (or included in said response)?
I'm asking this probably somewhat silly ...
3
votes
4answers
324 views
Future perfect progressive
When is the future perfect progressive used? I am trying to understand in which cases it should be used, but I cannot find any practice examples of sentences using that tense.
I will have been ...
