> 1) This is the first time I'm doing [something] ...
Instead of what you've written above, I'd change the sentence to "This will be my first time..." (riding a horse, for example).
> 2) This is the first time I've done [something] ...
This is the form I'd generally use. That is: "This is the first time I've ridden a horse" or "this is the first time I've done a survey."
> also indicating in what kind of contexts you'd be using each, if at > all.
As indicated, "2)" is the one I'd use just about any time. "1)" sounds contrived to me, as if I were were trying very hard to speak (or write) in a way I normally don't. I've seen and heard the style used, and find it annoying. It seems to lose any freshness very quickly.
> 1) This is the first time I'm doing [something] ...
Not a common usage. It might apply if I was in the process of doing something several time in a row. "This (right now) is the first time I'm loading the dishwasher. It will take two or three more times to clean up all the dirty dishes from last night's dinner party".
> 2) This is the first time I've done [something] ...
Would refer to something that I am doing right now. "This is the first time (that) I've been ballroom dancing. You'll have to show me the steps." or "This is the first time that I've loaded the dishwasher today. I meant to get to it after lunch, but the phone rang and it had to wait."
> also indicating in what kind of contexts you'd be using each, if at all.
That's all that comes to mind; I may be overlooking some posibilities.
-- Roland Hutchinson Will play viola da gamba for food.
NB mail to my.spamtrap [at] verizon.net is heavily filtered to remove spam. If your message looks like spam I may not see it.
> 1) This is the first time I'm doing [something] ... > 2) This is the first time I've done [something] ...
> also indicating in what kind of contexts you'd be using each, if at all.
I had to think about this, and I'm still not absolutely sure about it. Still (BrE):
1. Beforehand: "This will be the first time I've driven a Porsche". Or "This is the first time I'll have driven a Porsche". 2. In the process: "This is the first time I've driven a Porsche" (Any version with -ing sounds wrong to me, though I can't say why.) 3. Immediately afterwards: "That was the first time I've driven a Porsche". 4. Later: "That was the first time I'd driven a Porsche". ("That was the first time I drove a Porsche" would be suitable if I were giving an account of my extensive experience of driving fast cars.)
You could certainly say "I'm doing this for the first time" and that would be suitable whether you were about to start or were actually in the process.
>>> 1) This is the first time I'm doing [something] ...
>>Said while someone is in the process of doing something.
> Maybe in Canada, but in the US, no native speaker says this. I have > heard a lot of foreigners say similar things though. (not Canadians, > though)
> Are you just looking at in and analysing it, or have you really heard > people say it?
I've heard it often enough. It doesn't strike me as strange at all, because the reference is more weighted to what they're currently doing than to their history of not having done it before.
>> 1) This is the first time I'm doing [something] ... >> 2) This is the first time I've done [something] ...
>> also indicating in what kind of contexts you'd be using each, if at >> all.
> I had to think about this, and I'm still not absolutely sure about > it. Still (BrE):
> 1. Beforehand: "This will be the first time I've driven a Porsche". > Or "This is the first time I'll have driven a Porsche". > 2. In the process: "This is the first time I've driven a Porsche" (Any > version with -ing sounds wrong to me, though I can't say why.) > 3. Immediately afterwards: "That was the first time I've driven a > Porsche". 4. Later: "That was the first time I'd driven a Porsche". > ("That was > the first time I drove a Porsche" would be suitable if I were > giving an account of my extensive experience of driving fast cars.)
> You could certainly say "I'm doing this for the first time" and that > would be suitable whether you were about to start or were actually in > the process.
That's right. "1) This is the first time I'm doing ..." isn't real English; and the later suggestion by Jim K, "3) This is the first time I'll be doing [something]" is utterly grotesque.
Of course, any odd structure could slip out of almost any native speaker's mouth at odd moments; but such accidents wouldn't be enough to standardise a form of words.
Marius Hancu wrote: > Could you state your preferences re: > 1) This is the first time I'm doing [something] ... > 2) This is the first time I've done [something] ... > also indicating in what kind of contexts you'd be using each, if at > all.
I trust your questions have been answered. I would like to add that your first example, while as non-standard in English as others have said, is often heard from people who are thinking in French: "C'est la première fois que je fais [qqch]."
If, as I think I recall, you are posting from the Montreal area, you probably hear it a lot, along with "It's the first time...".
On Jul 15, 8:33 am, "CDB" <bellema...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> > 1) This is the first time I'm doing [something] ... > > 2) This is the first time I've done [something] ... > > also indicating in what kind of contexts you'd be using each, if at > > all.
> I would like to add that > your first example, while as non-standard in English as others have > said, is often heard from people who are thinking in French: "C'est > la première fois que je fais [qqch]."
> If, as I think I recall, you are posting from the Montreal area, you > probably hear it a lot, along with "It's the first time...".
Well, I don't think it's my location. The following is from two respected English teachers, both US-based:
> On Jul 15, 8:33 am, "CDB" <bellema...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>>> 1) This is the first time I'm doing [something] ... >>> 2) This is the first time I've done [something] ... >>> also indicating in what kind of contexts you'd be using each, >>> if at all.
>> I would like to add that >> your first example, while as non-standard in English as others >> have said, is often heard from people who are thinking in >> French: "C'est la première fois que je fais [qqch]."
>> If, as I think I recall, you are posting from the Montreal >> area, you probably hear it a lot, along with "It's the first >> time...".
> Well, I don't think it's my location. The following is from two > respected English teachers, both US-based:
HVS wrote: > On 15 Jul 2008, Marius Hancu wrote >> On Jul 15, 8:33 am, "CDB" <bellema...@sympatico.ca> wrote: >>>> 1) This is the first time I'm doing [something] ... >>>> 2) This is the first time I've done [something] ... >>>> also indicating in what kind of contexts you'd be using each, >>>> if at all. >>> I would like to add that >>> your first example, while as non-standard in English as others >>> have said, is often heard from people who are thinking in >>> French: "C'est la première fois que je fais [qqch]." >>> If, as I think I recall, you are posting from the Montreal >>> area, you probably hear it a lot, along with "It's the first >>> time...". >> Well, I don't think it's my location. The following is from two >> respected English teachers, both US-based: >> http://thegrammarexchange.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/340600179 >> /m/3181077374 >> I think the natives are still at odds on this. > It sounds unnatural, unidiomatic, and non-native to my ear.
To mine too. I couldn't find any further information about Rachel and Richard at the website (thanks, anyway), but I don't have a lot of respect for their answers to Jerry's question (the example used was "This is the first time I am participating/have participated in such [an event]" ):
'[Richard:] I guess that if the event is still taking place, it would be more appropriate to say no. 1, Jerry. No. 2 gives the impression that the event has just concluded.'
{No, that impression would be given by "That was the first time I participated..."}
'[Rachel:] I agree with Richard. Perhaps with "I'm participating" you are actually in the middle of participating, and with "I've participated," you may be there at the event but not actively participating yet.'
{Say what?}
They seem to have a pretty limited understanding of how English verbs work.
>> 1) This is the first time I'm doing [something] ... >> 2) This is the first time I've done [something] ...
>I had to think about this, and I'm still not absolutely sure about it. Still >(BrE):
>1. Beforehand: "This will be the first time I've driven a Porsche". Or "This >is the first time I'll have driven a Porsche".
(AmE) Or also, "This is my first time driving a Porsche."
Though the first version ("This is the first time I'm ...") didn't sound at all odd to me until other posters pointed out that it's not the phrasing most often used. Thinking of whan I _have_ heard that, most of the examples that come to mind involve planning a journey (so implied future despite present phrasing): "This is the first time I'm going to Cyprus." It seems to connote a state of mind where being active in planning makes the present feel like part of the activity even though the actual travel hasn't started yet, where "This will be the first time I'm going to Cyprus" would indicate that the speaker is not caught up in the mental activity of planning right at that moment and is just looking forward to the trip.
Or, not unlikely, I'm waaaay overanalyzing.
In all the other cases I've thought of so far where it wouldn't sound odd ("This is the first time I'm running for public office") the other phrasing seems more common ("This is my first time running for public office").
-- D. Glenn Arthur Jr./The Human Vibrator, dgl...@panix.com Due to hand/wrist problems my newsreading time varies so I may miss followups. "Being a _man_ means knowing that one has a choice not to act like a 'man'." http://www.panix.com/~dglenn/http://dglenn.livejournal.com
In article <g5i52e$er...@registered.motzarella.org>,
Mike Lyle <mike_lyle...@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote: >Alan Jones wrote: >> "Marius Hancu" <NOS...@videotron.ca> wrote in message >> news:MySek.1781$hz1.122777@weber.videotron.net... >> You could certainly say "I'm doing this for the first time" and that >> would be suitable whether you were about to start or were actually in >> the process.
>That's right. "1) This is the first time I'm doing ..." isn't real >English; and the later suggestion by Jim K, "3) This is the first time >I'll be doing [something]" is utterly grotesque.
Nervous, just before a sales presentation: "This is the first time I'll be doing the pitch alone -- usually Jim and I do this together."
Waiting for massage class to start: "This is the first time I'll be doing that Shiatsu technique that was demonstrated last week."
Waiting for one's turn in a tourney: "This is the first time I'll be doing sword-and-board[1]; until now I've only been fencing."
On stage: "I recorded this tune four months ago, but this is the first time I'll be playing it in front of a live audience."
About to cimb into the cockpit of an aeroplane: "This is the first time I'll be flying solo."
Grotesque?
(Yes, I can see other phrasings, some more likely, some not.)
[1] armoured fighting using broadsword and shield.
>Of course, any odd structure could slip out of almost any native >speaker's mouth at odd moments; but such accidents wouldn't be enough to >standardise a form of words.
True 'dat.
-- D. Glenn Arthur Jr./The Human Vibrator, dgl...@panix.com Due to hand/wrist problems my newsreading time varies so I may miss followups. "Being a _man_ means knowing that one has a choice not to act like a 'man'." http://www.panix.com/~dglenn/http://dglenn.livejournal.com
On Jul 15, 12:20 pm, dgl...@panix.com (D. Glenn Arthur Jr.) wrote:
> >> 1) This is the first time I'm doing [something] ... > >> 2) This is the first time I've done [something] ... > Thinking of whan I _have_ heard > that, most of the examples that come to mind involve planning a > journey (so implied future despite present phrasing): >"This is the first time I'm going to Cyprus."
Others, in other forums, point to the same future usage.
> In article <g5i52e$er...@registered.motzarella.org>, > Mike Lyle <mike_lyle...@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote: >> Alan Jones wrote: >>> "Marius Hancu" <NOS...@videotron.ca> wrote in message >>> news:MySek.1781$hz1.122777@weber.videotron.net... >>> You could certainly say "I'm doing this for the first time" and that >>> would be suitable whether you were about to start or were actually >>> in the process.
>> That's right. "1) This is the first time I'm doing ..." isn't real >> English; and the later suggestion by Jim K, "3) This is the first >> time I'll be doing [something]" is utterly grotesque.
> Nervous, just before a sales presentation: "This is the first > time I'll be doing the pitch alone -- usually Jim and I do this > together."
> Waiting for massage class to start: "This is the first time I'll > be doing that Shiatsu technique that was demonstrated last week."
> Waiting for one's turn in a tourney: "This is the first time I'll > be doing sword-and-board[1]; until now I've only been fencing."
> On stage: "I recorded this tune four months ago, but this is the > first time I'll be playing it in front of a live audience."
> About to cimb into the cockpit of an aeroplane: "This is the > first time I'll be flying solo."
> Grotesque?
Yep. We'd say "This will be the first time I have [past participle] ..." unless our grammar had been disrupted by nerves. But I can't really speak for those impoverished souls whose dialect has lost the perfect tenses: I still don't understand how they manage, but I'm sure they must have their methods. [...]
> D. Glenn Arthur Jr. wrote: >> In article <g5i52e$er...@registered.motzarella.org>, >> Mike Lyle <mike_lyle...@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote: >>> Alan Jones wrote: >>>> "Marius Hancu" <NOS...@videotron.ca> wrote in message >>>> news:MySek.1781$hz1.122777@weber.videotron.net... >>>> You could certainly say "I'm doing this for the first time" and that >>>> would be suitable whether you were about to start or were actually >>>> in the process.
>>> That's right. "1) This is the first time I'm doing ..." isn't real >>> English; and the later suggestion by Jim K, "3) This is the first >>> time I'll be doing [something]" is utterly grotesque.
>> Nervous, just before a sales presentation: "This is the first >> time I'll be doing the pitch alone -- usually Jim and I do this >> together."
>> Waiting for massage class to start: "This is the first time I'll >> be doing that Shiatsu technique that was demonstrated last week."
>> Waiting for one's turn in a tourney: "This is the first time I'll >> be doing sword-and-board[1]; until now I've only been fencing."
>> On stage: "I recorded this tune four months ago, but this is the >> first time I'll be playing it in front of a live audience."
>> About to cimb into the cockpit of an aeroplane: "This is the >> first time I'll be flying solo."
>> Grotesque?
> Yep. We'd say "This will be the first time I have [past participle] ..." > unless our grammar had been disrupted by nerves. But I can't really speak > for those impoverished souls whose dialect has lost the perfect tenses: I > still don't understand how they manage, but I'm sure they must have their > methods. > [...]
I concur with Mike, though I won't join him in mocking our American friends.
>>> About to cimb into the cockpit of an aeroplane: "This is the >>> first time I'll be flying solo."
>>> Grotesque?
>> Yep. We'd say "This will be the first time I have [past participle] >> ..." unless our grammar had been disrupted by nerves. But I can't >> really speak for those impoverished souls whose dialect has lost the >> perfect tenses: I still don't understand how they manage, but I'm >> sure they must have their methods. >> [...]
> I concur with Mike, though I won't join him in mocking our American > friends.
That wasn't really intended as mockery--not in its strongest form, anyhow. I once asked here if anybody knew how the non-perfect-tense-users met the need to express such ideas, and got no answer. Perhaps present perfect and future perfect are dispensable, but I can't easily believe there's a whole chunk of the Anglophone community which has simply no neat and unambiguous way to express the pluperfect relation.
<mike_lyle...@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote: >D. Glenn Arthur Jr. wrote: >> In article <g5i52e$er...@registered.motzarella.org>, >> Mike Lyle <mike_lyle...@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote: >>> Alan Jones wrote: >>>> "Marius Hancu" <NOS...@videotron.ca> wrote in message >>>> news:MySek.1781$hz1.122777@weber.videotron.net... >>>> You could certainly say "I'm doing this for the first time" and that >>>> would be suitable whether you were about to start or were actually >>>> in the process.
>>> That's right. "1) This is the first time I'm doing ..." isn't real >>> English; and the later suggestion by Jim K, "3) This is the first >>> time I'll be doing [something]" is utterly grotesque.
>> Nervous, just before a sales presentation: "This is the first >> time I'll be doing the pitch alone -- usually Jim and I do this >> together."
>> Waiting for massage class to start: "This is the first time I'll >> be doing that Shiatsu technique that was demonstrated last week."
>> Waiting for one's turn in a tourney: "This is the first time I'll >> be doing sword-and-board[1]; until now I've only been fencing."
>> On stage: "I recorded this tune four months ago, but this is the >> first time I'll be playing it in front of a live audience."
>> About to cimb into the cockpit of an aeroplane: "This is the >> first time I'll be flying solo."
>> Grotesque?
>Yep. We'd say "This will be the first time I have [past participle] ..." >unless our grammar had been disrupted by nerves. But I can't really >speak for those impoverished souls whose dialect has lost the perfect >tenses: I still don't understand how they manage, but I'm sure they must >have their methods. >[...]
Goodness gracious me. This is the first time I am doing this reading since I am leaving Kolkata. Not exactly BrE, innit.
Robin Bignall wrote: > On Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:43:54 +0100, "Mike Lyle" > <mike_lyle...@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>> D. Glenn Arthur Jr. wrote: >>> In article <g5i52e$er...@registered.motzarella.org>, >>> Mike Lyle <mike_lyle...@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote: >>>> Alan Jones wrote: >>>>> "Marius Hancu" <NOS...@videotron.ca> wrote in message >>>>> news:MySek.1781$hz1.122777@weber.videotron.net... >>>>> You could certainly say "I'm doing this for the first time" and >>>>> that would be suitable whether you were about to start or were >>>>> actually in the process.
>>>> That's right. "1) This is the first time I'm doing ..." isn't real >>>> English; and the later suggestion by Jim K, "3) This is the first >>>> time I'll be doing [something]" is utterly grotesque.
>>> Nervous, just before a sales presentation: "This is the first >>> time I'll be doing the pitch alone -- usually Jim and I do this >>> together."
>>> Waiting for massage class to start: "This is the first time I'll >>> be doing that Shiatsu technique that was demonstrated last week."
>>> Waiting for one's turn in a tourney: "This is the first time I'll >>> be doing sword-and-board[1]; until now I've only been fencing."
>>> On stage: "I recorded this tune four months ago, but this is the >>> first time I'll be playing it in front of a live audience."
>>> About to cimb into the cockpit of an aeroplane: "This is the >>> first time I'll be flying solo."
>>> Grotesque?
>> Yep. We'd say "This will be the first time I have [past participle] >> ..." unless our grammar had been disrupted by nerves. But I can't >> really speak for those impoverished souls whose dialect has lost the >> perfect tenses: I still don't understand how they manage, but I'm >> sure they must have their methods. >> [...]
> Goodness gracious me. This is the first time I am doing this reading > since I am leaving Kolkata. > Not exactly BrE, innit.
Are you telling that they would be kicking my bottom out of door from Bridge of Knights?
