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English Language & Usage

Timeline for How do the tens­es and as­pects in English cor­re­spond tem­po­ral­ly to one an­oth­er?

Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0

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Jul 15, 2014 at 20:55 comment added Pacerier @JonPurdy, What about "I would eat"?
Feb 3, 2012 at 12:26 history edited Matt E. Эллен CC BY-SA 3.0
added 54 characters in body
Apr 21, 2011 at 18:14 comment added Jon Purdy @LaC: Oh no, a slew of other verbs are totally valid examples, and my post is definitely simplified to the point of being incomplete. It's only I am hungry that I had a problem with, since you're using to be to introduce a predicate. Also, there's some colloquial (and facetious) use of do be to denote habitual states: I do be hungry; the Pope does be Catholic. But anyway, the point of making a post CW is that it can be continually improved. If I haven't done a good job, help me.
Apr 21, 2011 at 16:25 comment added LaC I sit in my chair. I see a computer in front on me. On its screen, a message by @Jon Purdy claims I am being unfair. I disagree.
Apr 21, 2011 at 16:17 comment added Jon Purdy @LaC: Oh, come on, to be is hardly a fair example. Besides, it's CW. Correct it.
Apr 21, 2011 at 12:39 comment added Kosmonaut The present indicative can also be used to describe things as they happen, e.g. a sports commentator: "Montana goes back to pass, and he's sacked at the 42 yard line."
Apr 21, 2011 at 12:26 comment added LaC Habituality is by no means the only use of the present indicative in English. For example, if I say "I am hungry" it means I am hungry right now, not as a habit. There are also other mistakes, but I'm posting too much.
Apr 20, 2011 at 20:34 history made wiki Post Made Community Wiki by Jon Purdy
Apr 20, 2011 at 20:34 comment added Jon Purdy Feel free to flesh out the examples. I preferred a single verb for consistency.
Apr 20, 2011 at 16:13 history answered Jon Purdy CC BY-SA 3.0