In the sentence ‘Sue earns more money walking dogs than she did at her software job,’ you might notice that ‘walking’ is in the present continuous tense. This might seem unusual, especially since ‘earn’ is in the present simple tense. In this article, we’ll explore why the present continuous tense is used here and how it affects the meaning of the sentence.
1. The Role of the Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous tense is typically used to describe actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or actions that are ongoing. In this case, ‘walking dogs’ refers to an activity that Sue is currently engaged in regularly, but it’s not just happening right now. It describes an ongoing action that she does as part of her work or lifestyle. The use of the continuous tense highlights that this is a regular, repeated action, not just a one-time event.
Therefore, the present continuous tense is being used to convey the idea of an ongoing activity that Sue is continuously engaged in to earn money, rather than a temporary or one-off occurrence.
2. Why Not Use the Simple Present?
You might wonder why the simple present tense isn’t used here. The simple present is typically used for general facts, habits, or routines. However, in this sentence, the present continuous tense adds nuance to Sue’s work. It emphasizes that ‘walking dogs’ is something she is actively doing as a significant part of her income, implying it’s more than just a routine but something that is an ongoing, perhaps evolving, activity.
If the sentence said ‘Sue earns more money walks dogs,’ it would sound less natural, as it would simply present the action as a habitual fact without emphasizing the ongoing nature of it.
3. Showing Comparison with the Past
The comparison in the sentence (‘than she did at her software job’) is also important. It contrasts her current activity with her previous job. By using the present continuous for ‘walking dogs,’ the sentence subtly emphasizes that her current work is an ongoing, active process. This is contrasted with her past software job, which may have involved less active engagement or a different kind of routine. The use of the continuous tense underscores that Sue’s work now involves more active participation and change compared to her previous role.
4. Examples of Present Continuous in Similar Contexts
Here are some similar examples that also use the present continuous tense to describe ongoing activities:
- ‘I am learning Spanish to improve my career prospects.’
- ‘She is working on her book every day.’
- ‘They are building a new office downtown.’
In each of these examples, the present continuous is used to indicate that the actions are not only happening but are ongoing, regular activities that have a clear connection to the present moment.
5. Conclusion
To summarize, the use of the present continuous tense in ‘walking dogs’ highlights that Sue’s activity is ongoing and regularly part of her work. It emphasizes the continuity of her actions and how they contribute to her current income. Understanding when to use the present continuous tense can help convey ongoing actions in a more precise and natural way, especially when comparing current activities with past experiences.
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