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Perfect Stranger Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Correct or not no. 40 - does its job vs doing its job

Hello again,

Which of these two sentences is correct/better?

1. Hello Robert! I'm glad to hear that you're happy with your phone and that it's doing its job.
2. Hello Robert! I'm glad to hear that you're happy with your phone and that it does its job.

Can someone please explain to me the difference between them?

Thanks a lot!
  

Top answer

We often use the simple present and the present continuous interchangeably, with little or no significant difference in meaning.

  • We often use the simple present and the present continuous interchangeably, with little or no significant difference in meaning.
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5 Answers
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We often use the simple present and the present continuous interchangeably, with little or no significant difference in meaning.
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PhilipWe often use the simple present and the present continuous interchangeably, with little or no significant difference in meaning.
Thanks Philip... Which one would you prefer to use then?

And... what about this whole difference about present continuous being used for temporary situations and present simple being used for permanent situations?
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Hope you will see the last post Philip Emotion: smile
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Perfect StrangerAnd... what about this whole difference about present continuous being used for temporary situations and present simple being used for permanent situations?
It still applies. It's just that there is overlapping in usage.
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Perfect StrangerWhich of these two sentences is correct/better?
Both are correct. The first one emphasizes the continuing proper functioning of the phone over time. The second one just says that the phone functions well without that kind of emphasis.

I would use the first one, but there is nothing odd or remarkable about using the second one either.

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