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progressive tense

by Gurpinder » Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:34 pm
I just have a doubt because I have been implying this principle too many times now and want to confirm.

I know this question has been answered, but I am referring to something specific.

After moving to Switzerland in the 1890’s, Albert Einstein attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing a foundation for his future work in mathematical physics.

>>>attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing

This is the right answer for the question, but aren't the words "receiving and developing" illogical! The sentence refers to what happened in the past, the answer is using -ing which means progressive. Isn't that wrong? shouldn't it be received and developed?

Or is there no such rule?

Please explain
"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress."
- Alfred A. Montapert, Philosopher.
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by uwhusky » Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:41 pm
https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/pos ... tml#p25475

The reason why you think they should be parallel is because you did not capture the intended meaning of the sentence.

The sentence can be broken down into separate sentences without modifiers, and that might clarify the confusion.

After moving to Switzerland in the 1890's, Albert Einstein attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich.

Albert Einstein was receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and [was] developing a foundation for his future work in mathematical physics.
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by BastiG » Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:03 pm
Gurpinder wrote:I just have a doubt because I have been implying this principle too many times now and want to confirm.

I know this question has been answered, but I am referring to something specific.

After moving to Switzerland in the 1890’s, Albert Einstein attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing a foundation for his future work in mathematical physics.

>>>attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing

This is the right answer for the question, but aren't the words "receiving and developing" illogical!
no
The sentence refers to what happened in the past yes, the answer is using -ing which means progressive. the -ing form is used because these two verbs are used as present participles --> functions like an adverb

You have to think/sketch a timeline:

He attented school and while he was on school he is:
receiving XY and developing XZ

Isn't that wrong? shouldn't it be received and developed?

You can't use received or developed because it doesn't make sense as a past participle. An past participle is constructed in passive form and then it would be :"Einstein was developed by XY". =)


Or is there no such rule?

Well you have to try to understand what is the timeline.Is there more than one action and if yes. Are the actions happening at the same time or do they have a sequence.

Please explain
Last edited by BastiG on Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by uwhusky » Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:08 pm
Another point to add is that if you constructed the stimulus with separate sentences, you would notice that the tense of all the main verbs are indeed parallel

After moving to Switzerland in the 1890's, Albert Einstein attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich.

Albert Einstein was receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and [was] developing a foundation for his future work in mathematical physics.

But because they're used as modifiers, the auxiliary verb (or helping verb) is removed.

Modifiers are actually quite fun to learn without the test...
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by paes » Tue Aug 31, 2010 11:05 pm
RULE FROM MgMAt : A present participle receives its verb from main verb.

e.g.

I completed my work, drinking the coffee. -> "drinking the coffee. " in past
I complete my work, drinking the coffee. -> "drinking the coffee. " in present
I will complete my work, drinking the coffee. -> "drinking the coffee. " in future

If we want to change the time of the present participle, we should use relative pronoun

e.g

I see man cleaning the room. [ cleaning in present ]

I see man who cleaned the room yesterday. [ cleaning in past ]
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by Gurpinder » Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:12 am
Thank you guys,

you are all great help1!!
"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress."
- Alfred A. Montapert, Philosopher.
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