Re: Are "semi-creoles" widespread?

On Aug 29, 8:29 pm, Harlan Messinger
<hmessinger.removet...@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Darkstar wrote:
On Aug 29, 5:13 pm, LEE Sau Dan <dan...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
"Darkstar" == Darkstar <darkstar...@xxxxxxxx> writes:
Darkstar> Now we seem to witness the loss of "to" in infinitives
Darkstar> as in "help do something" and the formation of "wanna",
Darkstar> "gonna", "gotta" as new standard verbs and their gradual
Darkstar> infiltration into the written speech,

If "wanna" etc. are full verbs, what are their past tense form and
past participle? Can you form the present continuous tense from it?

> "Want" is not used in Progressive/Continuous in modern grammar.

Sure it is. "Always leave them wanting more." "His performance was
wanting." "I often find myself wanting to return to my hometown but I
can't afford the housing prices there." "Wanting to go is not the same
as having to go."

Consult a grammar textbook about the difference among the Gerund, the
ing-form, and the Progressive/Continuous Tense.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Are "semi-creoles" widespread?
    ... Can you form the present continuous tense from it? ... "Always leave them wanting more." ... to search for bare progressives, such as those used in news headlines, ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: Are "semi-creoles" widespread?
    ... Can you form the present continuous tense from it? ... "I often find myself wanting to return to my hometown but I ... to search for bare progressives, such as those used in news headlines, ...
    (sci.lang)