Guyper  +  920629 Mon, 28 Sep 09 07:42 PM A hencemen didn't do his job at all and his boss asks him "What am I supposed to be paying you for?" I was wondering why it has to be, "to be paying" (Passive?) and not, "to pay". Is it an idiom similar to, "look forward to meeting"? Thank you Guyper Joined on Thu, Nov 13 2008 Full Member 119 Idioms

	Avangi  +  920654 Mon, 28 Sep 09 08:00 PM I don't think it's either an idiom or passive.  I take it as present continuous.  It refers to the ongoing terms and conditions of the hencemen's employment.  I am regularly/continuously paying you.  Why?? The simple present could be used, but this choice makes it a bit more realistic. What's a hencemen? Avangi Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007 Veteran Member 8,794 ". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier Simple Present, Present Continuous, Present Tenses, Idioms, Simple Tenses, Continuous Tenses

	Guyper  +  921170 Tue, 29 Sep 09 04:24 AM Avangi “ What's a hencemen? ” Sorry, I meant henceman. Singular. Guyper Apologies

	Clive  +  921187 Tue, 29 Sep 09 04:39 AM Hi, henchman / henchmen   The word is not commonly used. When it is, it is often in speaking of gangsters.   In a business context, we commonly speak of a boss and his 'subordinates'.   Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 31,579 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo Business, Context, Speaking, Chat, Friendships, Careers