How is your day – Example Conversation
The present tense is more common in writing. As you can see by all the explanations I am giving, they are all written in the present tense. That is because it is instructional. Instructional writing is more commonly written in present tense. However, stories in novels are written in past tense.
The reason past and future tense is used more commonly than present tense when speaking is because usually you are telling someone what you have done or what you plan on doing. Speaking in the present tense is used primarily to tell someone what you are currently doing.
As in previous lessons in ‘Bored and Greeting’ it is very common to have a conversation using the present tense when you run into somebody or when you make or receive a phone call.
Let’s use this time now to incorporate what we have learned so far.
“Hi Jack. What are you doing?”
“Hi Mary. I’m filling out a job application.”
“Are you finished with school already?”
“No. I have one more semester, but it would be great to have a job lined up.”
“How is your day going?”
“Quite busy. I’m preparing for my presentation tomorrow on our marketing strategy. I’m not even half done yet.”
“You must feel stressed out now.”
“That’s an understatement.”
“What are you doing now?”
“I’m playing pool with my friends at a pool hall.”
“I didn’t know you play pool. Are you having fun?”
“I’m having a great time. How about you? What are you doing?”
“I’m taking a break from my homework. There seems to be no end to the amount of work I have to do.”
“I’m glad I’m not in your shoes.”
参考译文
现在时在写作中非常常见。你可以从我所做的说明中看出,这些都是用现在时写的。这是因为它具有教学意义。教写作通常用现在时。然而,小说中的故事常是用过去时态写的。
在口语中,过去时和将来时比现在时更常用是因为通常你是在告诉别人你已经做了什么或者你打算做什么。用现在时态说话主要是用来告诉别人你现在正在做什么。
就像在之前的课程“Bored and Greeting”中简单日常英语口语对话简单日常英语口语对话:英语口语:日常问候对话,当你偶遇某人或接打电话时,用现在时交谈是很常见的。
下面我们来总结一下我们到目前为止所学到的内容。
“你好,杰克。你在干什么?”
“嗨简单日常英语口语对话,玛丽。我在填工作申请表。”
“你已经放学了吗?”
“没有。我还有一个学期简单日常英语口语对话,然而,如果能找到工作就太好了。”
“你今天过得怎么样?”
“很忙。我在准备明天关于市场策略的报告。还有一大半没有完成呢。”
“你现在一定很紧张。”
“这是保守的说法。”
“你现在在做什么?”
“我在和我的朋友们在台球厅打台球。”
“我不知道你会打台球。你们玩得开心吗?”
“很开心。你呢?你在干什么?”
“我要从作业中抽空休息一下。我要做的工作好像没完没了。”
“还好我不是你这样的人。”