Specific applications of present continuous devices.
I want a Specific Use of the Present Continuous? Could anyone please clarify this specific Use? Where does Malcolm in the middle appear?
Why can’t it happen? How can you steal his slides?
2) Groundhog Day
Phil: I hate this place. I stayed here two years ago. I was miserable. It’s a fleabag. If you could use this in a car, it wouldn’t cost you a thing. Ich’m not staying here, was sent here.
Could you please suggest what will be the next arrangement? Or it’s more likely a spontaneous decision or a prediction from somewhere. But do it really have significance? How much better is Future Simple to be used in there instead of stealing his slides?
In both cases the present tense is associated with an announcement of intent, is confusing to people learning the language, defies analysis and the simple tools taught to beginners, and is idiomatic in both American and British Englishes.
If I am a computer program, I am now executing a plan to steal his slides., I have no idea that I captured his slides. What is effective because it’s a statement of intent, with immediacy — they are going to steal those slides right now, or at least as soon as they can. Their nimble presence may ruin the slide. It reflects the thought process of the person, where — in their mind at least — the stated action has already begun.
What is a temporary measure of my being here? What’s the likelihood that the QUESTION will go “How
are you here to answer questions for the night?”
I’m staying here. Why, if I’m out here already?
Where the action has already begun (he’s been staying since he arrived, will be until the action leaves).
In your example, Phil is simply stating the opposite —
No, I’m not staying here. What must I do first? I am only here till you arrange something different or I leave to look for somewhere else.
In other words neither of these case is really about a future action at all. at least not in the sense of “plannning” to do something’.
