Getting tense over tense...

OrangeDragon · Post by **OrangeDragon** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:32 am

So a few of you are ESL teachers... one of my wife's biggest screwups is tense. Specifically -ing.

"I am boring."

"Are you boring?"

And so on.

Is there an easy way to teach a fix to this?

UKJ · Post by **UKJ** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:18 am

You tube has some good lessons by esl teachers that she might like. I used it a lot when doing my tefl course!
Or this chart might help.
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/ver ... ses-be.htm

Post by **Username Taken** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:41 am

OrangeDragon wrote:So a few of you are ESL teachers... one of my wife's biggest screwups is tense. Specifically -ing.

"I am boring."

"Are you boring?"

And so on.

Is there an easy way to teach a fix to this?

Sorry to play Grammar Nazi, but, those are not verb tenses. They are adjectives.

'-ed' adjectives

Adjectives that end in -ed are used to describe how people feel:
'He was surprised to find that he had been upgraded to first class.'
'I was confused by the findings of the report.'
'She felt tired after working hard all day.'

'-ing' adjectives

Adjectives that end in -ing are used to describe things and situations. Compare these example sentences to the ones above:
'Being upgraded to first class is surprising.'
The findings of this report are confusing.'
'Working hard all day is tiring.'

From here: http://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/e ... nd-things/

OrangeDragon · Post by **OrangeDragon** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:20 pm

Then the following isn't about the tense of the verb?

He is surprising her tonight.

He surprised her last night.

He is going to surprise her tomorrow night.

Future perfect progressive tense describes a future, ongoing action that will occur before some specified future time. This tense is formed by using will have been and the present participle of the verb (the verb form ending in -ing).

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/grammar/tenses.html

Post by **Username Taken** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:38 pm

What!!!

Now you're moving the goals posts. As you usually do. (Future perfect progressive?? FFS)

So, let's go back to your original example:

"I am boring."

This is a common mistake make by English language learners, and, as I said these are adjectives. Adjectives ending in -ed and -ing. Keep your eye on the ball OD!!

You don't have to have the last word every time, do you?

Your example was about adjectives, which you mistakenly called 'verbs'. No biggie.

Thank you UT.
You're welcome, OD.

Now, fuck off!!

StroppyChops · Post by **StroppyChops** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 1:48 pm

(Psst... go with UT on this one)

OrangeDragon · Post by **OrangeDragon** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 2:32 pm

Ok, fine. Just asking, jesus. Try moving your tampon a little to the left.

Semantics about what i called the thing aside, the point I was seeking advice on is how to actually fix the usage problem with it?

Francis · Post by **Francis** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 2:38 pm

You can't fix that problem. It's an old, well-known Cambodian problem......has something to do with the roots of Cambodian language and a total misconception of English language. It'll take years of talking, talking and talking to a foreigner.....then (perhaps) they'll understand the concept.

OrangeDragon · Post by **OrangeDragon** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 3:50 pm

I get that it's because their language doesn't really differentiate. "Girl pretty" instead of "that girl is pretty" and such. (Ever notice how that sounds a lot like hollywood caveman speak?)

I was just hoping for some practice exercises/etc for such things from the ESL teachers on here who work to correct it every day.

Francis · Post by **Francis** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:01 pm

There are indeed a lot of ESL teachers around I guess, but whatever qualification they have they are incapable to teach certain basics.....not because they are stupid.......but because the environment or the situation doesn't allow it. Try to teach English to a Japanese......basically impossible. I would suggest to be patient with your wife....sooner or later she is going to understand (and if not....so be it....you can't force it).

Getting tense over tense...

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