Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
flow (of water, electricity, etc.); process; tendency; direction
current
housing
garner
poll
Free TOEIC test: Free word games online: Noun Quiz Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

use of the Present Simple in the phrase 'I forget the name now'



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
Those days vs. These days | Should be WHEN instead of IF: "Mind your head if bending"
Message Author
use of the Present Simple in the phrase 'I forget the name now' Tue Jan 16, 2007 21:15 pm  use of the Present Simple in the phrase 'I forget the name now'
 

Hi

Please, validate the use of the Present Simple in the phrase 'I forget the name now, but...'.

I've heard it many times - with the Present Simple - and can find examples online. In particular, in the BNC.

Without 'now' I suppose it just means 'I always/regularly forget the name' (for some reason, whatever they are).
This is exactly how I would express that in my first language - with the "Present Simple".

But with 'now' it sometimes sounds to me a bit... unnatural.

Just for example:

KDM 14979 Well, where John lives like, I forget the name of the road now, you just pass Thornton Heath you know turn.
(c) BNC

Does it sound fine to you?
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

use of the Present Simple in the phrase 'I forget the name now' Tue Jan 16, 2007 21:39 pm  use of the Present Simple in the phrase 'I forget the name now'
 

Hi Tamara

That sounds natural to my American ear. To me the addition of 'now' suggests that that I didn't use to have a problem remembering the name, but now I do. The name is no longer retrievable from my brain. Cool

Amy
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 7779
Location: USA

Are you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!Can you find all the prepositions in this story?English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsHow many different ways with words do you know? Subscribe to free email English course
use of the Present Simple in the phrase 'I forget the name now' Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:07 am  use of the Present Simple in the phrase 'I forget the name now'
 

Hi Amy,

Aha…
It seems, I’ve got the difference.

Quote:
but now I do
In Russian ‘forget’ (in the Present Simple) is not completely equal ‘don’t remember’ (as in English, in fact, it is. As it follows from your post.) - because the implicit meaning of the verb 'forget' refers to the act having been done (forgot, have forgotten) or to the regular ‘action’ (as I mentioned above).

So, 'I always forget' sounds natural to me. Smile
'I know the name, but right now I can’t/don’t remember it.' – natural, as well.

But I forget it now for Russian ears sounds as if we both know some fact from “my” life that caused local amnesia (some incident or my centenary Smile ) - and with ‘now’ I refer to the period started from it. Smile

Thanks for your response.

ps. By the way,
Quote:
The name is no longer retrievable
sounds as if I'm sure that I'll never be able to remember the name again... (= have forgotten it forever)
Confused
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK

Display posts from previous:   
Those days vs. These days | Should be WHEN instead of IF: "Mind your head if bending"
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms use of the Present Simple in the phrase 'I forget the name now' All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
This vs. that'Time' vs 'timing'About the possessive 'sExpression: 'In a rut of a busy day, aren't we fast losing the human touch?'meaning of "in one respect"Help with context: Lake Baikal, which today is located near the center of...Come to an end vs. come to the endHaving problem with the commaHow often do you use tjhe adjective 'promiscuous'?meaning of "swallow his pride"meaning of "That’s all there is."What are compound nouns?Expression: I think you would like to see the magazine!Indian words used in English! Sherbat, Pankah, Chutney"Do you have" vs. "Have you"The correct use of "vs" (versus)"Despite of" versus "inspite of"Use article in phrase "very bad tooth ache"use of the Present Simple in the phrase 'I forget the name now'

Discover English-test.net
What are expressions and gerunds?Abbreviations: Mister versus Mr., Mrs., MsThe word 'depot'-in cosmetics.Writing StyleASVAB preparation test: Vocabulary Building Exercises: Example of AdjectivesASVAB exam test: Word games online: Free Adjective GameDefine obsolete, defunct, inane, impudentParts of speech test: Noun verb adjectiveFree ESL Quiz Online: Will and Living WillThe Goon Show, Volume 4: My Knees Have Fallen Off! audiobook download

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course written by Alan Townend
First name E-mail