Hi there.
When I am in a shop buying a pen， can I say： I am buying a pen.
I mean I want to express I am doing this action of buying. But I know "buy" is an instantaneous verb, and we can't use the instantaneous verb to make a progressive tense. So I'm not sure if the sentence "I am buying a pen" is correct.
I'm looking forward to your reply. Thank you very much!
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Hi, Alexandra—Yes, you can say, "I am buying a pen." You could say that if you were in the act of buying it. Perhaps you are at a cash register taking out your money or handing your money to the clerk who is ringing you up.
@David, Moderator posted:Hi, Alexandra—Yes, you can say, "I am buying a pen." You could say that if you were in the act of buying it. Perhaps you are at a cash register taking out your money or handing your money to the clerk who is ringing you up.
Thank you so much! I really want to know something said in the grammar book. It says that we do not usually use short action verbs in present continuous ( be doing), because the action can not last. It says only an action that can last can be used in the present continuous (be doing). Is that a correct rule?
@David, Moderator posted:Hi, Alexandra—Yes, you can say, "I am buying a pen." You could say that if you were in the act of buying it. Perhaps you are at a cash register taking out your money or handing your money to the clerk who is ringing you up.
Hello David,
I really want to figure out, can all short action verbs like "buy" be used in present continuous or just some can be used? Thanks a lot. Look forward to your reply.
