English Present / Present Continuous

Home | Classroom | Archive 1 | Archive 2 | Words | Phrases | Countries | Languages

Phrasebase Archive

khanhha Saturday 21st of January 2006 08:54:40 PM
present / present continuous - Which sentence is correct? Please show me and give me your explanation. Thanks.
1. But now the government is offering money that should cover the expenses.
2. But now the government offers money that should cover the expenses.

CliveN Saturday 21st of January 2006 09:37:06 PM
- 1 is better.

1. "Now the government is offering money that should cover the expenses" means that the government has started offering money now and will carry on for a while.

2. "Now the government offers money that should cover the expenses" means that the government often offers money, and will do until the end (this doesn't go well with the word "now")

Using "... does offer ..." would mean the same thing as 2.

Other examples of things like this are:

"Joe is playing football" - He is playing football now.
"Joe plays football" - He often plays football, but might not be playing it now.
"Joe does play football" - He often plays football, but probably isn't playing it now.

"The cow is eating" - The cow is eating now.
"The cow eats" - The cow is able to eat, and eats often, though it might not be eating now.
"The cow does eat" - The cow is able to eat and eats often, but is probably not eating now.

"He is being funny" - He is funny now, but might not be at other times.
"He is funny" - He is, in general, a funny person.
"He does be funny" doesn't really make sense.

I hope this helps :)

khanhha Saturday 21st of January 2006 09:51:24 PM
- Thank you Clive very much.
I understand much clearly now.
Best wishes to you.

Phrasebase Archive
	khanhha	Saturday 21st of January 2006 08:54:40 PM
	present / present continuous - Which sentence is correct? Please show me and give me your explanation. Thanks. 1. But now the government is offering money that should cover the expenses. 2. But now the government offers money that should cover the expenses.
	CliveN	Saturday 21st of January 2006 09:37:06 PM
	- 1 is better. 1. "Now the government is offering money that should cover the expenses" means that the government has started offering money now and will carry on for a while. 2. "Now the government offers money that should cover the expenses" means that the government often offers money, and will do until the end (this doesn't go well with the word "now") Using "... does offer ..." would mean the same thing as 2. Other examples of things like this are: "Joe is playing football" - He is playing football now. "Joe plays football" - He often plays football, but might not be playing it now. "Joe does play football" - He often plays football, but probably isn't playing it now. "The cow is eating" - The cow is eating now. "The cow eats" - The cow is able to eat, and eats often, though it might not be eating now. "The cow does eat" - The cow is able to eat and eats often, but is probably not eating now. "He is being funny" - He is funny now, but might not be at other times. "He is funny" - He is, in general, a funny person. "He does be funny" doesn't really make sense. I hope this helps :)
	khanhha	Saturday 21st of January 2006 09:51:24 PM
	- Thank you Clive very much. I understand much clearly now. Best wishes to you.