You are probably familiar with the slogan of the world famous McDonald's fast food chain: “ I'm loving it". Advertising with this slogan appears everywhere and the phrase is firmly rooted in our memory. A wonderful slogan, if not for one BUT: from the point of view of English grammar, this phrase is incorrect, so do not rush to use it in speech.
You and I know that if the action occurs at the moment of speech, then time is used: an ending is added to the verb - ing, before the verb is to be in the right form. It turns out that if we like something right now, then we need to say: I am liking it, and if we hear something at the moment of speech, then I am hearing it?
This is the logic used by many English learners and is the cause of many of their mistakes.
When studying the Continuous tenses, you should remember that there are two types of verbs in English: action verbs or dynamic verbs (Action Verbs, Dynamic Verbs) and state verbs (Stative Verbs, Non-Continuous verbs). These are special verbs that are not used in group tenses. Continuous.
Phrase "I"m loving it" is grammatically incorrect because the verb love is a state verb and therefore cannot be used in .
The main feature of this category of verbs is that, unlike action verbs, they do not denote physical actions that involve any visible movement, we cannot observe these actions in progress. There are many state verbs, and they are usually divided into groups. You will find different classifications in different manuals. And we, for better memory, select the following groups:
- verbs relating to sensations and perception;
- verbs that express interests, preferences and emotional attitude to something;
- verbs expressing desires and needs;
- verbs of mental activity;
- verbs related to memory, opinions, mental operations, representations;
- ownership verbs;
- verbs that convey various relationships between objects and phenomena;
- verbs related to communication.
Verbs relating to sensations and perceptions
to feel*- to feel, feel;
to hear- to hear, to be able to hear
to look*- to look like
to notice- notice, pay attention
to perceive- perceive, understand, realize; comprehend
to see*- see
to smell*- have a smell; smell
to taste*- have a taste
Verbs that express interests, preferences and emotional attitude towards something
to adore- adore; worship, venerate, worship
to admire- admire, admiring, admiring
to appreciate- evaluate, (highly) appreciate, be grateful, thankful
to astonish
to test- hate, abhor; can't bear, can't endure
to dislike- dislike, dislike, dislike
to display- to displease, to annoy, to annoy, to be unpleasant, not to like, not to your liking
to enjoy*- like, enjoy
to envy- envy
to hate- to hate
to interest- to interest, to interest, to arouse interest
to like- love, like
to loathe- to hate
to love- be in love
to please- to please, to give pleasure, to be happy
to prefer- prefer
to respect- respect, revere, revere
to satisfy- satisfy demands, requests, please, give pleasure
to surprise- amaze, amaze, amaze
Verbs expressing desires and needs
to desire- test desire, crave, dream; really want
to intend- intend
to lack- lack, need, lack
to need- to need, to need, need
to want*- wish, wish
to wish- wish, wish
Verbs of mental activity: related to memory, opinions, mental operations, ideas
to appear* to appear, to impress, to appear, to appear
to assume- assume, presume
to believe- believe, think, believe
to consider- think, believe, consider
to doubt- to doubt, to consider unlikely, to doubt, not to trust, not to believe
to expect- to hope, suppose, think, suppose, suppose
to find- to be convinced, to come to a conclusion, to consider, to believe, to recognize
to imagine- suppose, suppose, think
to know- know, have an idea, understand
to matter- to matter, to mean, to be significant, significant
to presume- assume, presuppose, suppose
to puzzle- to bewilder, to perplex, to bewilder
to realize- imagine, understand, realize
to recall- remember, resurrect (in memory)
to recognize- recognize, recognize
to collect- remember, remember
to remind- to remind, to be like
to regard- evaluate, consider, reckon, treat
to remember- to remember, to remember
to see*- understand
to seem- appear to appear
to sound- to sound, to make a sound, to sound, to seem, to remind, to give an impression
to suppose- suppose, think, surmise, presume
to think*- think, think
to trust- believe, trust, rely
to understand- to comprehend, comprehend, comprehend
Ownership verbs
to belong- to belong to someone, to be someone's property
to have*- to have, to possess
to owe- to be indebted, to be indebted
to own
to possess- to possess, to have, to possess, to possess
Verbs that convey various relationships between objects and phenomena
to be*- to be, to exist, to be, to be
concern- touch, touch, relate
to depend- to be dependent
to deserve to deserve, to be worthy of something
to differ- different, different
to equal- to be the same, equal, not inferior
fit*- to be just right, to be just right, to fit
to hold- to contain, contain
to consist- to be made up of
to contain- to contain, to include, to contain, to contain
to include- include, include, contain
to involve- touch, affect, include, contain
to suit- to suit, to meet the requirements, to arrange, to approach, to go, to be in person
to weigh*- to weight
Verbs related to communication
agree- to agree, to agree
to allow- allow, allow
to claim- claim, claim, claim
to forbid- forbid, prevent, hinder
to forgive- forgive
to mean- intend, mean
to object- object, raise objections
to refuse- reject, refuse, reject
As you can see, all of the above verbs in these meanings convey actions that we can't see: these are emotions, feelings, sensations, mental operations, therefore it is difficult or impossible to observe the process.
But you must be tormented by vague doubts, because you have met the forms having, thinking or seeing.
The fact is that some verbs from the list, changing their meanings, become action verbs, and can be used in group tenses Continuous. We will consider the main ones in a table with examples and explanations:
| State verb | Action verb (Dynamic verb) |
| TO APPEAR | |
|
To appear, to impress, to appear, to appear. It appears that it is a complicated task. - It seems to be a difficult task. |
Perform on stage, be shown on television. Madonna is appearing on MTV Music Awards tonight. Madonna will perform at the MTV awards today. |
| TO BE | |
|
To be, to exist, to be, to be. She is an actress. - She is an actress. |
To behave, to behave in a certain way. Used with an adjective to show that the behavior is not typical for a person. She is being rude. - She's being rude. |
| TO ENJOY | |
|
Like (about common interests and preferences). I enjoy concerts. I enjoy live music. - I love concerts. I like live music. |
Like (in a particular situation). I am enjoying this concert. - I like this concert. |
| TO FEEL | |
|
Be on touch. Wool feels soft. - The wool is soft to the touch. |
Touch, touch, touch, touch. The doctor is feeling my forehead. The doctor touches my forehead. |
| TO FIT | |
|
To fit, to fit, to be just right, to fit. These shoes fit me. They are my size. These shoes are just right for me. This is my size. |
Fit, equip. He is fitting a new peephole in our front door. - He's putting a new peephole in our front door. |
| TO HAVE | |
|
Have, own. I have a big family. - I have a big family. He usually has lunch at work. He usually has lunch at work. |
In phrases: have a shower He is having a shower now. - He's taking a shower now. He is having his lunch. - He's having lunch now. |
| TO LOOK | |
|
Look, have a look. You look tired. - You look tired. |
Look at something. What are you looking at? - What are you looking at? |
| TO SEE | |
|
Understand, see. I see what you mean. - I understand what you mean. |
To meet, to see someone. I am seeing my dentist tomorrow. - I'm meeting with the dentist tomorrow (I'm going to an appointment). |
| TO SMELL | |
|
Smell, smell. The flowers smell good. - The flowers smell good. |
The girl is smelling the flowers. - The girl is smelling the flowers. |
| TO TASTE | |
|
To taste, to taste. This cake tastes delicious. - This cake tastes great. |
Taste. Mother is tasting the brother. - Mom is trying the broth. |
| TO THINK | |
|
Think (have an opinion). I think the weather will be fine tomorrow. - I think the weather will be fine tomorrow. |
Think about, think about something. What are you thinking about? - What are you thinking about? He is thinking of buying a new car. He is thinking about buying a new car. |
| TO WEIGH | |
|
I weigh 55 kilos. - I weigh 55 kg. |
Weigh. The seller is weighing the vegetables. - The seller weighs the vegetables. |
Back to the slogan "I'm loving it". It is clear to any native speaker that such a statement is grammatically incorrect, but the paradox is that this is precisely what attracts people's attention. In spoken language, you can already hear the form loving, although this form is not found in dictionaries. For example, you can say: "I'm loving your new dress"(I really like your new dress) if you mean a specific situation, a specific dress, but this is only a colloquial expression.
Moreover, sometimes state verbs in the forms Continuous sound in songs, full of headlines in magazines and newspapers. This is done solely to attract the attention of listeners and readers and is not the norm in English. And then the teachers present these phrases as examples of the incorrect use of state verbs. Therefore, do not rush to use in your speech those phrases that you hear from the TV screen. Although, who knows, maybe in the future grammatical rules will dictate fashionable slogans of famous companies...
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Dear Dmitry Ivanovich!
I would like to disagree with you it's a note What were they wanting and loving admin.] that the use of non-terminal verbs in continuous tense forms is non-standard, in particular about the advertising slogan " I'm lovin' it!". When I was in the second year of our wonderful Institute (MGLU), practice classes in English, aspect of grammar, we were led by Elena Samoilovna Limar. I think this truly great teacher is familiar to all students of English groups. Elena Samoilovna constantly drew our attention to the non-standard use of various grammatical forms, especially in the light of this coming to translation practice. Just at that time, in the metro, and throughout Moscow, there was an advertisement for McDonald's: " I'm lovin' it!", - and in the classroom we compared the values of the Present Indefinite and Present Continuous times.
From the first lessons, Elena Samoilovna instilled in us that any non-standard grammatical use is the first indicator of the manifestation of some kind of emotionality. She began her explanation with the fact that very often the Present Continuous forms are used "... to express actions generally characterizing the person denoted by the subject, bringing out the person" s typical traits. ... the Present Continuous in this case imparts a subjective, emotionally colored tone." [Quoted from the textbook by I.P. Krylova and E.M. Gordon A grammar of Present-day English, 15th edition]. I think this the use is familiar to many: "You are always (doing something)!". Moreover, it is "forever" ( always, constantly V English sentence), as Elena Samoilovna said, certainly indicates emotionality, but not necessarily some kind of irritability, as many people think. And Elena Samoilovna finished her explanation with just that very McDonald's advertisement. Very often, she said, in order to draw the interlocutor's attention to our words and convey a high degree of emotionality, we deliberately use "non-standard" in our speech: "Some of the verbs included in the list of stative verbs may also be occasionally used in the continuous form Then the actions indicated by these verbs express great intensity of feeling.
e.g "Strange," he said, "how, when people are either very young or very old, they are always wanting to do something the should not do."
e.g Dear Amy, I "ve setteled in now and i am liking my new life very much." [Ibid.]
Unfortunately, the authors of this textbook did not indicate the primary sources where these quotes were taken from. However, if you consider that I used the 15th (!) stereotypical edition, then these non-standard phenomena have been known to the authors for a very long time. Most likely, for the authors of this textbook, English was not the first language, and the textbook was written during times of isolation, it is hoped that all examples and their descriptions are taken from authentic texts. But even if all this is discarded, one cannot but agree that the use of various non-standards, which at first are occasionalisms, subsequently becomes some basis for the formation of a norm. Of course, not every song, advertisement or just a thrown phrase is an example of pure language, but I am convinced that knowledge expands and deepens our understanding and helps us. There are really mistakes and blunders, in other cases any non-standard has the right to life and can be explained. Since such forms appear, it means that people need it. Moreover, the nature of this particular Continuous phenomenon is somehow described. Returning to the McDonald's advertisement, I dare to assume that the advertisement of such a multi-billion dollar company was carefully worked out, and a mistake that could somehow discredit the company would not have appeared for sure. And knowledge, first of all, helps us to comprehend obvious things: not every non-standard is the norm.
Dmitry Ivanovich, here is such a small cry of the soul)) You can use my letter completely at your discretion. Firstly, I really wanted to mention my beloved Elena Samoilovna, perhaps she even taught with you, she mentioned something like that more than once. It’s just that sometimes there are times when you really want to trust the experience and language practice of such wonderful teachers, especially since this is somehow even reflected in the textbook. And secondly, I want to express my gratitude to you that in our Institute there are teachers like you, whose experience and authority you trust completely and unconditionally. Special thanks to you for your site and your books, they really help a lot in comprehending such a difficult thing as a language. And I really hope that some of your article in "Bridges" will appear again soon - it has not been for a very long time.
| DI. YERMOLOVICH: | ||
Nikita, although you started your letter with the words “I would like to disagree”, it seems to me that there are no serious differences between our positions. I, like you, have no doubt that the McDonald's advertising slogan " I'm lovin' it”- not a mistake of an ignoramus, but, on the contrary, a carefully chosen wording, designed to somewhat “strain” grammatical norm and thereby attract additional attention of a potential client. And I agree with you that in such use loving there is an element of heightened emotionality, as evidenced by other contexts, for example:
And I can even say more precisely what emotionality is expressed here: playful. After all, a playful tone allows for a not very respectful attitude towards foundations, including the language norm. But one cannot ignore the fact that many English speakers either do not see this joke or consider it artificial or inappropriate. This use of a non-terminal verb love is perceived by them as incorrect, semantically contradictory, substandard, and they criticize it. These opinions are analyzed, for example, on the website Grammar Girl: Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. Here's the verdict from site expert and host Mignon Fogarty:
By the way, it happens that the norm is eroded over a rather long period, but still does not collapse. I will give as an example in Russian the transitive use of the verb leave: He didn't leave on his own, his gone»
. So (also jokingly) they began to speak back in the 70s of the last century, but still the norm in the grammatical function of the verb leave remains intransitive. I think that in the case of love forms remain normative in simple, not continuous tenses, despite the long-standing use of the latter. And a few words about Elena Samoilovna Limar. Yes, she also taught English history and grammar in my group, and I also deeply respect this wonderful teacher and specialist. It was nice to read your review about her: it's wonderful when a student keeps a grateful memory of his teacher. Well, and for good words to me - thank you. |
I'm lovin' it
I'm lovin' it
I'm lovin' it
Don't you love it too?
Yo
Hi, I "m not here to waste your time
You know this ain't a pick up line
I just think that you"re a dime
Well I know that heart that's in your chest
But you got to let it go
(Go, go, girl)
Girl you got to let it go
(Go, go, girl)
You deserve to get down
Been working hard all week
I'm lovin' it, I'm lovin' it
I'm lovin' it
I'm lovin' it
By the way what's your sign
I bet it is compatible with mine
Probably long lasting years down the line
I "m telling you girl you" re a dime
Well don't just sit there girl
I know that heart that's in your chest
It carries pain and so must stress
But you got to let it go
(Go, go, girl)
(Just let go)
Just close your eyes I'll grab your waist
Next think you know you have your pace
Girl you got to let it go
(Go, go, girl)
Oh...
(Remember)
Oh...
(The first time we met)
Oh...
(Butterflies in your stomach)
Oh...
(Couldn't speak)
Oh...
(you)
Oh...
(Close your eyes)
Oh...
(It's ok)
Oh...
(I was lovin' it)
Oh...
How, how do you do all the things you do?
(How do you do it?)
Like being you, you "re so professional
(professional)
Not mention you "re the baddest of your group
Well don't just sit there girl
I know that you wanna get down
You deserve to get down
(Wanna get down)
Been working hard all week
(Oh yeah)
Just trying to make your money
(Money)
Girl go on and shake your booty
I'm lovin' it, I'm lovin' it
I'm lovin' it
(Hey..)
I'm lovin' it
(Hey..)
I'm lovin' it
(Oh...)
Don't you love it too?
Justin Timberlake Lyrics
I like her
I like her
I like her
Don't you love her too?
Yo
Hi I'm not here to waste my time
You know it don't pick up the line
I just think that you're not a dime
Well I know that the heart is in your chest
But you have to let her go
(Go, go girl)
(Go, go girl)
Worked all week
I like her
I like her
By the way, what is your zodiac sign?
I bet it's compatible with mine
Probably long years
I tell you girl you ain't a dime
Well don't just sit there girl
I know that the heart is in your chest
She bears pain and so must stress
But you have to let her go
(Go, go girl)
(Just let go)
Just close your eyes I'll take your waist
Next think you know you have your pace
Girl you gotta let her go
(Go, go girl)
Oh...
(Remember)
Oh...
(The first time we met)
Oh...
(Butterflies in the stomach)
Oh...
(couldn't speak)
Oh...
(You)
Oh...
(Close eyes)
Oh...
(Its OK)
Oh...
(I love him)
Oh...
How, how do you do everything you do?
(How do you do it?)
How are you, you are so professional
(Professional)
Not to mention you're cooler than your group
Well don't just sit there girl
I know that you want to get down
You deserve to get down
(want to get down)
Worked all week
(Oh yeah)
Just trying to get my money
(Money)
Girl go and shake your booty
I like her, I like her
I like her
(Hello..)
I like her
(Hello..)
I like her
(Oh...)
Don't you love her too?
I'm lovin' it
Ba da ba ba ba
I'm lovin' it
Ba da ba ba ba
I'm lovin' it
Ba da ba ba ba
Don't you love it too?
Hi
I "m not here to waste your time
And no this ain't a pickup line
I just think that you're a dime
I know you wanna get down
You deserve to get down
Ba da ba ba ba
I'm lovin' it
Ba da ba ba ba
By the way, what's your sign?
I bet it is compatible with mine
Probably long-lasting years down the line
I "m tellin" you girl you "re a dime
Well don't just sit there girl
I know that heart that's in your chest
It carries pain and so much stress
But you gotta let it go, go, go, girl
Just close your eyes I'll grab your waist
Next thing you know you'll have your pace
Girl you gotta let it go, go, go, girl
I remember
the first time we met
I had butterflies in my stomach
I couldn't speak
and you
there was something about you
it just felt good
you were lovin it
How, how do you do all the things you do?
At being you you "re so professional
Not to mention you "re the baddest of your crew
Well don't just sit there girl
I know you wanna get down
You do deserve to get down (wanna get down?)
Been working hard all week (all week)
Just tryin' to make ya money (money)
Girl go on and shake ya booty
I'm lovin' it, I'm lovin' it, I'm lovin' it
Ba da ba ba ba
I'm lovin' it
Ba da ba ba ba
I'm lovin' it
Ba da ba ba ba
Don't you love it too?
Justin Timberlake Lyrics
I like it
I like it
I like it
Don't you like it?
Youu
Hey, I'm not here to waste your time.
You know it doesn't cost me anything to cross the line
I just think you're a dime
Don't sit here baby
Yes, I know that the heart is in your chest
Stores pain and a lot of stress
(Let go, let go, baby)
You deserve relaxation
Because you work all week
Trying to make money
I like it
I like it
Also, what is your zodiac sign?
I'm sure it's compatible with mine
It may be years before I cross the line
I tell you baby you're a dime
Just don't sit here baby
I know that the heart is in your chest
Stores pain and a lot of stress
But you just need to let it all go
(Let go, let go, baby)
(Just let go)
Just close your eyes and I'll hug your waist
Yes, you have your own pace and rhythm of movements,
But baby you gotta trust me
(Trust, trust, baby)
Oh...
(Remember)
O...
(The day we met)
O...
(You worried)
O...
(Couldn't speak)
O...
(You)
Oh...
(Close eyes)
Oh...
(Everything is fine)
Oh...
(I liked it)
Oh...
How, how do you do everything you do?
(How do you do it?)
I want to be you, you are a professional
(Professional)
Don't mention that you are the worst in your group
Don't sit here baby
I know you want to relax
You deserve relaxation
(Do you want to relax)
Because you work all week
(Oh yeah)
Trying to make money
(Money)
Baby go on, move your body
I like it, I like it
I like it
(Hey..)
I like it
(Hey..)
I like it
(Oh...)
Don't you like it?
