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Ask for help > I need help in explaining present simple vs present continuous exercise
I need help in explaining present simple vs present continuous exercise
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caren_630
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I need help in explaining present simple vs present continuous exercise
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Why can �t we use "I am having" instead of "I have" in the following sentence? My life (get) is getting pretty busy at the moment. I (have) have a 14-hour day, but I�m lucky because we (film) are filming in the Santa Monica mountains now, 15 minutes from home. One more question: Why did I use don �t have to and did not use mustn �t in the following sentence? The kids don �t have to go to school today since it is a public holiday in Spain. That �s why they are at the park. Thx in advance
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25 Dec 2012
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jannabanna
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Hi, In the first example: I have a 14-hour day, "have" is a state verb and doesn �t have a continuous form. The verb "have" can be put into the continuous form if it takes the place of another verb for example: He �s having a shower at the moment. or They were having lunch when we arrived. In the second example: The kids don �t have to go to school - this is an outside obligation (the school have put down the rules) whereas "mustn �t" is a strong obligation or something we feel personally, for example: You mustn �t cross the road here, it �s dangerous. You must see that film, it �s great. Have a look here for more explanations and examples: Janet |
26 Dec 2012
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yanogator
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You can say "I am having a 14-hour day." In fact, it sounds better than "I have a 14-hour day" here. Must not is a prohibition. Don �t have to is a lack of obligation. Bruce |
26 Dec 2012
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cunliffe
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In general, �I have � is the state and implies continuity whereas �I �m having � is describing the moment, but English is very flexible! I think here, I �d go for �I have a 14 hour day �. �I �m having � sounds a little more emphatic - she �s having a 14 hour day and it �s a bit much! An example: �I have a really long journey to work. � �There �s so much traffic today, I �m having a terrible journey. � |
27 Dec 2012
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