For me, context not clear

Wylie Y.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

For me, context not clear

Hola Inma,

In the example: "Esta tarde ayudo a mi madre en el jardín", the point in time when the statement is occurring seems important. Can it not be "esta tarde" at the time of the statement, which would make it the continuous present (even though that tense is not being used, just as the future tense is not being used)? Or is the present tense simply not used in this way?

Asked 4 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Wylie

Do you mean the sentence could be referring to a present event happening right at the moment of speaking? In order to express that you'd need the present continuous, not the present simple (ayudo):

"Esta tarde estoy ayudando a mi madre en el jardín." 

This sentence in Spanish is not referring at all to a future event but to a present event. The helping is happening right at the moment of speaking. 

It is one use of the present continuous that is different in English and Spanish. If you said this same sentence in English you could be referring to the future:

"I am helping my mum with the gardening this evening."

here, you will do the helping this evening, still to happen.

But in Spanish you would need either the present simple or any future tense:

Esta tarde ayudo/voy a ayudar/ayudaré...

I hope this clarified it.

Saludos

Inma

Wylie Y.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Ok, that helps. Thanks Inma!

Latika D.B2Kwiziq community member
Thanks Inma, it's useful information

For me, context not clear

Hola Inma,

In the example: "Esta tarde ayudo a mi madre en el jardín", the point in time when the statement is occurring seems important. Can it not be "esta tarde" at the time of the statement, which would make it the continuous present (even though that tense is not being used, just as the future tense is not being used)? Or is the present tense simply not used in this way?

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