Would these tenses be right?

   Share on Facebook  
Anonymous  #350078  Thu, 12 Apr 07 08:47 PM
I'm going home now - present progressive? (action in progress.)
I'll see you tomorrow -  future progressive? (Events in progress at a future time.)

Thank you.
  
CalifJim  #350140  Fri, 13 Apr 07 12:34 AM
It seems that you think the tenses are named according to their meaning.  This is not really so - not exactly.  They are named for their form.  You must have an -ing ending somewhere to have a progressive tense.

The first one (present progressive) is correct - that one has the -ing word going.
I'll see you tomorrow has no -ing word.  It can't be progressive.  It has will (in the form of 'll) so it's future.

CJ

  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004
California
Veteran Member (16,970)
ModeratorProficient Speaker
"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche
Anonymous  #351277  Sun, 15 Apr 07 10:36 PM
it's future progressive then?
Thanks CJ!
  
Clive  #351299  Sun, 15 Apr 07 11:21 PM

Hi,

it's future progressive then? No.

I will see you tomorrow is Simple Future.

I will be seeing you tomorrow is Future Continuous/Progressive. It's usually an idiomatic wayof saying 'I will encounter you tomorrw'. A better example of Future Continuous as an on-going event is something like 'When I call tomorrow at 6pm, Mary will be cooking dinner'.

Best wishes, Clive

  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004
Canada
Veteran Member (21,191)
ModeratorTeachers
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
Anonymous  #351592  Mon, 16 Apr 07 05:11 PM
Thanks very much Clive.
  
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service