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Present tense/-ing
Message from ngaie posted on 29-12-2011 at 10:03:11 (D | E | F)
Dear all,
For that sentence why do we need to use "is" instead of "does"?
Best regards
Erica
10. She doesn't come isn't coming (not/come). She is looking after her little sister
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Edited by lucile83 on 29-12-2011 10:38
Message from ngaie posted on 29-12-2011 at 10:03:11 (D | E | F)
Dear all,
For that sentence why do we need to use "is" instead of "does"?
Best regards
Erica
10. She doesn't come isn't coming (not/come). She is looking after her little sister
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Edited by lucile83 on 29-12-2011 10:38
Re: Present tense/-ing from lucile83, posted on 29-12-2011 at 10:46:03 (D | E)
Hello,
Isn't coming because that action will happen in the near future and we speak in the present time.
As she is looking after her little sister she won't be able to come/she won't come/she isn't coming
Hope this helps.
Re: Present tense/-ing from sherry48, posted on 29-12-2011 at 14:20:58 (D | E)
Hello ngaie.
Lucile gave you a good explanation, but I can also add that you can only use does/doesn't in a sentence similar to this if you are speaking of a habitual or repeated action.
For example, She doesn't come to the cinema with us because she is always looking after her little sister.
Have a nice day.
Sherry
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Edited by lucile83 on 29-12-2011 14:40 I highlighted 'always' because it is a very important word in your example sherry.It means the action is regular and repeated,which is not the case in ngaie's initial message.
Re: Present tense/-ing from sherry48, posted on 30-12-2011 at 13:44:00 (D | E)
Hello lucile. Yes, exactly. Great idea to highlight always, because without this word it would seem to be a mistake to use present tense.
Sherry
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