The 'te' form - action verbs vs. stative verbs

[TexMurphy01]

Hi guys,

I got a strange explanation from my Japanese teacher, and I just wanted to confirm with you guys that I have understood it, and that it's an actual Japanese thing.

Okay, so I know about the te form, and that it can be used to join sentences and what not. Now what my teacher seemed to be saying is that you can't have a mixed sentence of action and stative verbs which use the 'te' form.

For example:

Watashi wa igirisujin de ringo o tabete imasu.


So I was looking for someone to tell me if this is right or not.

Thanks.

 

[Rei Yahya]

Is that sentence trying to say 'I am English, and I am eating an apple'?

 

[Toritoribe]

Hi guys,

I got a strange explanation from my Japanese teacher, and I just wanted to confirm with you guys that I have understood it, and that it's an actual Japanese thing.

Okay, so I know about the te form, and that it can be used to join sentences and what not. Now what my teacher seemed to be saying is that you can't have a mixed sentence of action and stative verbs which use the 'te' form.

For example:

Watashi wa igirisujin de ringo o tabete imasu.


So I was looking for someone to tell me if this is right or not.

Thanks.

As for your example, yes, it sounds awkward as a single sentence, since the -te form can't be used when the two clauses have no connection in meaning. Although you can say it as an answer to the question あなたは何人で、今何をしていますか？ "Anata wa nanijin de, ima nani o shiteimasu ka?; Where are you from, and what are you doing now?".

私はイギリス人で、日本に旅行に来ています。(self-introduction)
Watashi wa igirisujin de, nihon ni ryokou ni kiteimasu.
I'm English, and came to Japan on a trip.

公園には池があって、鯉がたくさん泳いでいます。
Kouen ni wa ike ga atte, koi ga takusan oyoideimasu.
There is a pond in the park, and a lot of carp are swimming in it.

 

[TexMurphy01]

So... there don't seem to be any rules against mixing your stative and action verbs in this sense, just so long as the clauses are connected? Interesting. Thanks for the information.