ann_a30 24.01.09, 00:08 Can I say: "I'm having an appointment tomorrow" or should I use the Future Simple Tense or "be going to" instead? Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś czytaj wygodnie posty
jonathan.oakley Re: have/having 25.01.09, 17:27 "I have an appointment tomorrow." is the best way to express your example. For the Future Simple tense we use adverbs of time such as today; tomorrow; in two hours and so so. Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś
marzena604 Re: have/having 27.01.09, 23:22 Why would u use Present Simple here??????????? U mention adverbs of time used with Future Simple and we have TOMORROW in the sentence... I also feel confused coz I'm an English teacher (but not a native speaker of English) and I keep telling my students that "going to" and Present Cont. r used for furute plans-and I feel we have a plan in the sentence. Am I right? Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś
la_dolce_vita Re: have/having 28.01.09, 23:08 marzena604 napisała: > Why would u use Present Simple here??????????? U mention adverbs of time used > with Future Simple and we have TOMORROW in the sentence... I also feel confused > coz I'm an English teacher (but not a native speaker of English) and I keep > telling my students that "going to" and Present Cont. r used for furute > plans-and I feel we have a plan in the sentence. Am I right? We would use present simple because you have already made an appointment and you 'have' it ie you are in possession of that booking/reservation today although the event is going to take place in the future. Imagine this conversation: A: I have an appointment. B: When for? A: tomorrow. Strictly speaking one should say: I have an appointment booked for tomorrow, but in reality no one speaks like that - for if you have an appointment - the booking must have been made, so there is no point stating the obvious. Consider this sentence: I can't come to work tomorrow, because I have an appointment. Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś
la_dolce_vita Re: have/having - addendum 28.01.09, 23:15 The idea of not following strict tense rules should not be foreign to you, as in polish you might say: Jutro mam wizyte u dentysty. Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś
marzena604 Re: have/having - addendum 28.01.09, 23:59 I know what u mean but my students need rules. And after all those years at school as a teacher I feel I'm more and more stuck to all those rules and less flexible. Thx for reminding me that language is sth alive ;) I need it from time to time :) Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś
la_dolce_vita Re: have/having - addendum 29.01.09, 00:12 Adopt this rule: make it simple!! Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś
vickydt Re: have/having - addendum 29.01.09, 00:15 It is funny that you stress being a teacher and you are not aware of using Simple Present tense! We DO use it meaning future appointments and schedules and it IS a rule!!!! And in writing we do not use contracted forms! Gosh, I am disgusted. When I was a child it was so rare to have English lessons at school that their level was really bad. But now? With such an access to the books and other materials it is unbelievable that teachers do not know the BASIC rules. Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś
ann_a30 Re: have/having - addendum 29.01.09, 09:27 OK, thanks anyone for the explanation. Sometimes people say 'What are you wanting?' That's why I thought it relates to 'have/having' as well. As for contracted forms: do we really not use them in informal writing and Internet chat? Not to mention text messages:) Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś
marzena604 Re: have/having - addendum 29.01.09, 12:06 vickydt, we do not use contracted form in FORMAL writing. Is such writing like here formal??? I don't think so... Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś
vickydt contracted forms 29.01.09, 12:20 Well, I was tought never to use them in writing, even in the letters to friends. But as long as we, Polish people e.g. do not use in the text messages and in Internet Polish letters in writing (ś,ć etc.) and even do not use the capital letters when it is needed, such writing could be treated as very informal and the contracted form aplly here? Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś
jonathan.oakley Re: contracted forms 29.01.09, 14:56 I have sympathy with most arguements as to when to use the contracted form! For informal written English use of contractions is fine-providing the communication is clear and not ambiguous. We generally prefer to replace vowels instead of consonants and no more should be replaced than is absolutley neccessary. They should also be easy to say and sound pleasent to the ear. Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś
jonathan.oakley Re: contracted forms 29.01.09, 14:58 On this forum, it is fine to use contractions. It's good practice for your English. :-) Odpowiedz Link Zgłoś