Today’s expression does use Te-form of verbs. And it is one of most important applications of Te-form of verbs. Most of Japanese verb in original form expresses action in future. There is, of course, a verb form of past tense. So, two major tenses are past and future as shown below;
– Concise style : Taberu (= future tense) / Tabeta (= past tense)
– Polite style : Tabemasu (= future tense) / Tabemashita (= past tense)
where, Taberu means “eat”
Therefore, when expressing action in present, simple conjugation of a verb cannot make it. it needs to add something to a verb. An action that is related to present in terms of tense is expressed by “V-te Iru”. The expression “V-te Iru” has several types such as;
– Action ongoing
– Repetitive action
– Lasting action
– Sustained result of an action
Today, we are learning the first one, “Action ongoing” as an application of “V-te Iru”.
Examples of declarative sentences;
1. Satou-san wa Ima Ban-Gohan o Tsukutte Imasu. (Sato-san is now cooking supper.)
2. Suzuki-san wa Ima Shimbun o Yonde Imasu. (Suzuki-san is now reading a newspaper.)
3. Takahashi-san wa Ima Eigo o Benkyoushite Imasu. (Takahashi-san is now studying English.)
Examples of interrogative sentences;
4. Satou-san wa Ima Nani o Shite Imasuka. (What is Sato-san doing now?)
This post was written with reference to the exercise A4 on Section 14 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
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