The body of this question is divided into four sections: Exercise, Theoretical context, Answer and Questions. I believe this is the right site to ask given that this is a question about “word choice and usage” (from the help center). Exercise In this textbook I’m working on, I encountered an exercise in which I must … Read more
Here’s an example of a short conversation between me and a native speaker via text messages: A: I’m so exited for this app B: Yeah, me too A: We start tomorrow B: OK Shouldn’t it be "We are starting tomorrow"?! Answer No, it doesn’t need to be we are starting tomorrow In a very brief … Read more
He checked on me regularly during my stay to see if I needed anything. I’ve been confused of if I needed anything. Actually needing something has occured in the first place? Which article can make me understood of this phrase? Answer These two sentences describe the same action: When he came in he asked, "Do … Read more
Is this sentence correct? My niece is pretending to have been playing the piano for a whole hour. With this sentence I want to describe a situation when a girl is pretending at the moment of my stating the fact and at the same time I’d like to mention the duration too. If to divide … Read more
What is the difference between this two sentences: "He doesn’t listen to me" and "He isn’t listening to me"? Do they mean different things? What tense in what case should i use? Answer This is the usual difference between the present and present continuous. "He doesn’t listen" = always, a general fact = "He never … Read more
Here I found the following sentence. When you use your phone while charging, the battery is charging at a slower rate than normal to allow enough power for the ongoing usage. Can I use simple present tense here? Because they are talking about what normally happens when we use phone with charging on. And simple … Read more
Would you tell me which one is correct: "you called the wrong person" or "you are calling the wrong person" when you get connected with someone mistakenly? For example: Person A: Is this Dave? Person B: No, you called/you are calling the wrong person. I’ve heard both in the context, but which one is correct … Read more
Is present simple or present continuous correct in this case? I eagerly wait/am eagerly waiting for a new episode of "Dynamite" on the radio. I think the first one is a better solution because it is a habit to listen to this radio show: it is a kind of routine. Answer The programme has been … Read more
She’s in the kitchen, cooking the dinner. If I understand it, that sentence is: "…, she’s cooking the dinner." Is it common to use such a shortened form of "she’s cooking"? Answer She’s in the kitchen, [cooking the dinner]. The gerund-participial clause "cooking the dinner" is integrated into clause structure, and hence is a modifier … Read more
Would you tell me what is the difference between I expect a call in the afternoon and I’m expecting a call in the afternoon? Are both perfectly natural? If so, which one is more common? Answer They’re both perfectly natural. But – The word expect can mean regard (something) as likely to happen (This is … Read more
