That always brings/is always briging

[Rachel Adams]

Hello.

This example is from the book Advanced Learner's Grammar by Swan. Is ''bringing snow'' wrong in this test because of the position of ''always?''

''The weather forecast says there'll be wind from the north-west tonight. That always brings/is bringing snow with it at this time of year''.

 

[jutfrank]

That's one reason, yes. The more obvious reason is that the present continuous is used incorrectly—you need the present simple here.

 

[Rachel Adams]

That's one reason, yes. The more obvious reason is that the present continuous is used incorrectly—you need the present simple here.

Because you use it for permanent truths? Is it what this sentence expresses? I thought the progressive was possible because the person who is saying that is annoyed and is complaining.

 

[Tarheel]

You can depend on the wind from the northwest to bring snow at this time of the year. (It always brings snow.)

 

[jutfrank]

Because you use it for permanent truths? Is it what this sentence expresses?

No. The use of the present simple here is to express a predictable pattern of events. At this time of year, every time the wind comes from that direction, snow follows.

I thought the progressive was possible because the person who is saying that is annoyed and is complaining.

No.

 

[Rachel Adams]

No. The use of the present simple here is to express a predictable pattern of events. At this time of year, every time the wind comes from that direction, snow follows.



No.

If you are complaining about the weather, for example ''It is always raining here'' you don't use the continuous in this way? Only when the person is the doer of the action not the weather?

 

[jutfrank]

If you are complaining about the weather, for example ''It is always raining here'' you don't use the continuous in this way?

Yes, that sentence is correct.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Yes, that sentence is correct.

But ''It always rains here'' isn't impossible either, is it? When I am stating a fact and don't use ''at this time of year and the progresive together.'' With '' at this time of year'' it turns into a predictable event and using the progressive is wrong. Right?

''It always rains here''. Correct

''It is always raining here''. Correct

''It always rains here at this time of year.'' Correct

''It is always raining here at this time of year''. Wrong