LCI extra worksheets question

[elfinbaby]

My ds is doing the extra worksheets that are posted on the MP site. He asked a question today that I can't answer. On Worksheet 2 Translations, we are wondering why we ignore "are" as in #3 They are preparing. Also, why does parant (the answer in the key) translate to They are preparing and not They prepare. Or are both answers correct?

I have no previous knowledge of Latin so bear with me:)

Thanks,
April

[jeremiah213]

greetings.

the present tense can be translated in three different ways in English:

which for parant would be
simple present: they prepare
ongoing present: they are preparing
emphatic present: they do prepare

all of which we consider to be happening NOW (therefore present tense) but each has a little different flavor.

Glen Moore

[tanya]

Hello.

The helping verb 'are' can be used in the present tense. There are actually 3 ways you can translate the present tense from Latin into English: 'They prepare,' 'they are preparing,' and 'they do prepare' are all correct translations of 'parant.' All of these answers would be correct and have the same meaning. When you get to First Form Latin, this will be explained in more detail.

I hope this helps!

Tanya

[elfinbaby]

Thank you both so much!