Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
metal money; piece of stamped metal currency (as opposed to paper bills)
bias
coin
standard
remove
TOEIC preparation test: Word quiz questions: Free Online Nouns Adjectives Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Why use the progressive aspect here?



 
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
difference between eloquent and eloquent | Pereiras book or Pereira’s book
Listening exercises
Message
Author
Why use the progressive aspect here? #1 (permalink) Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:02 am   Why use the progressive aspect here?
 

They married, but their hasty pact quickly unraveled. the man balked at registering the boy in his name out of fear he could be breaking the law.Why use the progressive aspect here? Why not just say could break the law?
Thank you very much for your reply.
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.
Sitifan
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 12 Mar 2008
Posts: 259
Location: Taiwan

Why use the progressive aspect here? #2 (permalink) Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:42 am   Why use the progressive aspect here?
 

Hi Sitifan,

The use of the progressive form here suggests that at that particular time he 'could be breaking the law' . If you use 'could break the law' in your sentence, you are being specific and you would have to continue with -'if he did that'.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Only Three Letters
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 9205
Location: UK

English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsIn this story you'll learn how to use the English articlesAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!Read these English anecdotes and maybe smile today? Subscribe to free email English course
Why use the progressive aspect here? #3 (permalink) Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:53 am   Why use the progressive aspect here?
 

Hi, Alan

Don't we need to use the definite article before "fear", since we're talking about a certain fear - the fear of breaking the law ?
the man balked at registering the boy in his name out of the fear he could be breaking the law.

Thanks in advance !
Lost_Soul
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 1861
Location: South Park, Colorado, USA

Why use the progressive aspect here? #4 (permalink) Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:05 am   Why use the progressive aspect here?
 

Hi,

I wouldn't use 'the' because that makes it too specific. After all 'out of fear' is very general and is an accepted alternative to 'afraid of'.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Present Simple
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 9205
Location: UK

Why use the progressive aspect here? #5 (permalink) Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:06 am   Why use the progressive aspect here?
 

Alan wrote:
Hi Sitifan,

The use of the progressive form here suggests that at that particular time he 'could be breaking the law' . If you use 'could break the law' in your sentence, you are being specific and you would have to continue with -'if he did that'.

Alan


Are you saying that this is not possible, then, Alan?

"They married, but their hasty pact quickly unraveled. the man balked at registering the boy in his name out of fear he could be breaking the law if he did that."
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 4017

Why use the progressive aspect here? #6 (permalink) Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:09 am   Why use the progressive aspect here?
 

Not really, Molly I think the continuous form stands all right on its own with the suggestion that he could be doing that right now.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Read all about it
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 9205
Location: UK

Why use the progressive aspect here? #7 (permalink) Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:23 am   Why use the progressive aspect here?
 

Alan wrote:
Not really, Molly I think the continuous form stands all right on its own with the suggestion that he could be doing that right now.

Alan


OK. Thanks.
Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 4017

Display posts from previous:   
difference between eloquent and eloquent | Pereiras book or Pereira’s book
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms Why use the progressive aspect here? All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
difference between 'believe in' and 'believe'place of 'to'What does "lit their pipes" mean?direct v.s. directlyPhrase "next time"How to use 'pose'?Big or Large?Present perfect or past simpleverb tenses make me tenseWhat does it mean this expression: you rock?"finsihed" vs "had finished"a or the Shakespeare of the east?Special usage of "rate"Walk up and downI want to ask about slang language?Word selecting: People ruin natural ... by scattering junk and litter on the landUsage of sincewhat is the "voke track"?Why use the progressive aspect here?

Discover English-test.net
Why I can't use tooth pain?'Act' (adverb+adjective)Size of the forum page!make your purchases vs. make your buyingMCAT verbal preparation: Vocabulary Games: English Noun VerbMCAT preparation test: Free online word games: Noun Verb GameDefine visual acuity, mineral, hydration, fertilization, finger, muscular system, refractory periodDefinition of second, smell, show, since, fire, coast, night, debate, young, liquidFree ESL Quiz Online: Improving Verbal Skills

 
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
First name E-mail