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Manohonor Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
BEING or BE
The verb "BE" isn't used in the progressive tenses, right?
But how do you explain this?
WHAT ARE YOU BEING SO SMUG ABOUT IT?
YOU'RE BEING VAGUE.
?????????????????????????
But how do you explain this?
WHAT ARE YOU BEING SO SMUG ABOUT IT?
YOU'RE BEING VAGUE.
?????????????????????????
Top answer
Sure, 'be' is used in the '-ing' form, as in this case of how people are acting: He is being difficult. They weren't being careful. Forgive me for being ill.
- Sure, 'be' is used in the '-ing' form, as in this case of how people are acting: He is being difficult.
- They weren't being careful.
- Forgive me for being ill.
- My house is being painted this week.
- I will be being manicured when you arrive.
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12 Answers
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Sure, 'be' is used in the '-ing' form, as in this case of how people are acting:
He is being difficult.
They weren't being careful.
Forgive me for being ill.
My house is being painted this week.
I will be being manicured when you arrive.
He is being difficult.
They weren't being careful.
Forgive me for being ill.
My house is being painted this week.
I will be being manicured when you arrive.
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And what's the difference between THEY WEREN'T BEING CAREFUL and THEY WEREN'T CAREFUL?
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Both sentences are fine, and are common utterances. The former expresses more concern by the speaker with the careless activity they were pursuing; the latter shows that the speaker was more concerned with the result of their carelessness. The sentences are quite similar in meaning and purport; they just reflect a slightly different angle of consideration on the part of the speaker.
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These are easier, and they illustrate the same point:
"They were being careful" zooms in on the action.
"They were careful" zooms out from the action.
Consider the activity of packing household objects for a move.
Zoom in:
"They wrapped every little cup and saucer in a separate piece of paper. They packed them slowly into a padded box. The carried the box
"They were being careful" zooms in on the action.
"They were careful" zooms out from the action.
Consider the activity of packing household objects for a move.
Zoom in:
"They wrapped every little cup and saucer in a separate piece of paper. They packed them slowly into a padded box. The carried the box
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Hi, may I chime in? I asked a native speaker this question before, and he said 'Sara was being angry' is not proper. This is what he said.
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"We use the structure for behaviors we can control" is correct.
The "zooming" idea is to show the difference between past continuous and past simple. It has nothing to do with the correct choice of adjective.
The "zooming" idea is to show the difference between past continuous and past simple. It has nothing to do with the correct choice of adjective.
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Not Ok with me. I'm confused!
Forgive me for being ill.
Forgive me for being angry.
Why 'being ill' works? Is that something we can control? You are either ill or healthy. Huh?
Forgive me for being ill.
Forgive me for being angry.
Why 'being ill' works? Is that something we can control? You are either ill or healthy. Huh?
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You could also say:
You are being silly. Meaning right now.
You are silly. Meaning in general.
Bear in mind that both can be affectionate terms.
You are being silly. Meaning right now.
You are silly. Meaning in general.
Bear in mind that both can be affectionate terms.
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