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Say that I am currently eating something, would I say 今食べています, or would I say
今食べます?

Similarly, if I want to say that I know English, would I use 英語をしります or would
I use 英語を知っています?

What's the difference in parsing these sentences, too? I understand that Vている
implies some kind of continuation of state, or an activity that lasts for some
time; but can't the dictionary form also express that?

Thank you
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2015-06-26T16:58:16.443
25357
2015-06-28T03:02:48.637
2015-06-28T03:02:48.637
10329
question
grammar verbs て-form aspect
When to use Vている and when to use the dictionary form?
～ている means "am currently doing" (Think v+ing in English) Dictionary form is
more general.

So in answer to your questions: 今食べています is I'm eating (literally in the act of
doing). 今食べます works fine grammatically but it has a different meaning. If you
were asked when you were going to eat, you could reply with 今食べます which would
mean you are going to start right now.

For speaking English, the examples would be more natural using 話す。 英語を話します = I
speak English. (As with in English, you're able to speak English, but maybe
aren't specifically doing it right now). 英語を話しています = I am speaking English.
(The words coming out of your mouth, right now, are English... and hopefully
they sound that way). :)

There are some pitfalls where your English speaking brain will want to use one
over the other, but it's more natural to use the reverse. Don't worry about
that for now though.
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2015-06-26T18:23:24.330
25359
2015-06-26T18:23:24.330
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answer