I am a bit confused about using tenses with 'today'. Which tenses we can use with 'today'?
Are these sentences grammatical?
- I have eaten all the food today.
- She washes clothes today.
- I am watching TV today.
- I will study today.
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All of those sentences are correct, in the first, you ate earlier today. In the second, she is washing clothes as we speak. In the third, you are watching TV right now. In the fourth, you are going to study later today. Does that help?– Kai MaxfieldCommented Feb 9, 2016 at 8:29
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1How about #2 it is a simple present not a present continuous . As we know simple present is used such for habit fact etc. But the explanation is 'she is washing clothes as we speak'--i think this one is present continuous..would you like to give some answers for this..– Chair EvaniaCommented Feb 9, 2016 at 8:46
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I'm not quite sure I know what you mean about habit fact; let's say it's Tuesday. I guess you're right that the simple present "She washes clothes today" probably infers that today is her laundry day, but perhaps we don't know when she's doing it. If it's a habit, perhaps she washes clothes on Tuesdays, or at intervals of other lengths, e.g. every other day, or on Tuesdays and Fridays.– Kai MaxfieldCommented Feb 9, 2016 at 9:08
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Hmm... so if i conclude we can use 'today' in some tenses but depending on the sentence context– Chair EvaniaCommented Feb 9, 2016 at 9:22
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1 Answer
Because today is a span of time and not a set point, i.e. noon or 3 0'clock, you can use all tenses, it just depends when you anchor what you're saying at a particular time.
Using different tenses will put you either at the beginning of the day or end of the day
I will watch TV today
I am watching TV today
I watched TV today
I have watched some TV already today
I had watched some TV before eating lunch today
