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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Question - telephoning
Question - telephoning
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Mietz
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Question - telephoning
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When I �m on the phone I can say: "I �m calling about the order I placed."
However a student asked me today if it were also possible to say: "I call about the order I placed."
I think it sounds strange and I wouldn �t use it, but is it possible to use the Simple Present in that situation, too? I suppose it is a fact, that the person calls, which is a Simple Present function. But I �m not sure if it is correct.
What do you say?
Thanks for your help and have a lovely weekend!
Mietz
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4 Feb 2011
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chrisel
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It is not an action that is regularly repeated > you must use the present continuous, as you are doing the action right now. |
4 Feb 2011
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Mietz
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Thanks Chrisel!
I thought the same, but I also learnt, that the Simple Present can be used for facts (like: Water freezes at 0�C.) and when I call about an order, then that �s a fact, too. But as I said - I don �t think it �s right either.
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4 Feb 2011
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eng789
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I call about the order I placed every day but I still haven �t gotten through to them. |
4 Feb 2011
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Mietz
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Good point eng789! Thanks!
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4 Feb 2011
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colibrita
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No, you explaining the reason for your call is not a fact. "I �m calling about the order" is the correct form. It �s an action happening now. Just as we begin emails "I �m writing to thank you for your wonderful present"
or we say "I can �t hear you very well, I �m calling from the train"
Think of water freezes at 0 as something that always happens, every time you do it, or it �s done. Tigers can swim. They speakDutch in Holland.
If you want to use the present simple it would need to be in a context like, for example, "Every time I call about the order they �re very helpful."
or
"Jack calls about his order every day. He �s concerned it �s not going to arrive on time." Here it�s a regular action.
There are however, exceptions: I promise I will do my homework. I suggest you try another bank.
HTH!
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4 Feb 2011
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blunderbuster
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I understand why your student asked that, in quite formal business letters, people use the present simple instead of the present continuous....
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5 Feb 2011
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Mietz
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Thanks everybody for your helpful replies! :-)
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5 Feb 2011
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