Saturday, August 8, 2009

Present Continuous

(18-02-2009)

Following is a conversation that took place between a student in our class [“C”] and our English teacher teaching tenses.

Teacher: Another e.g. for present continuous - C - are you reading a novel now?


C: Yes I am reading a novel now.


Teacher: Now? No you are not reading a novel now. You are sitting in the class now.


C: Oh! But I am reading a novel at home. So can I say I am reading a novel now?


Teacher: You cannot say you are reading a novel now but you can say you are reading a novel.


C: So I can say I’m reading a novel when I’m actually not reading a novel.


Teacher: But you are reading a novel?


C: No I’m sitting in the class now.


Teacher: No, I mean, not now, but you are reading a novel?


C: Yes I am reading a novel.


Teacher: So you can say that.


C: Say what?


Teacher: That you are reading a novel.


C: Now?


Teacher: No, not now.


C: You mean, I should not say ‘now’.


Teacher: Say what now?


C: Not say I’m reading a novel now.


Teacher: But you said you are reading a novel.


C: No…err…Yes.


Teacher: So now it’s ok?


C: ‘Now’ is ok?


Teacher: No! ‘Now’ is not ok.


C: Oh! Ok


Teacher: Let‘s go on to the next topic - the Simple Present. Any more doubts.


Hand goes up


Teacher: Yes?


C: So I can say I am reading a novel … even though I am not reading a novel … which means…


[By this time the rest of the class had entirely lost it and I happily fell asleep so I had no idea how it ended.]

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