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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Doubt/sound

I have just finished my English exercises.

I have answered 2 questions wrong.

Here are they.

1. I suppose she might be at home tonight, but I am doubting it. (doubt)

2. What's that noise? It is sounding like a bird stuck in the chimney. (sounds)

These 2 verbs are state verbs, they are usually not used with the present continuous.

However,

For no 1, I am doubting it more and more from now until tonight, this doubt is a process spanning several hours. How come the correct answer is the present simple tense?

This stereo sounds great. (This is a state that exist at the present moment, so I agree with the present simple)

However,

For no 2, this sound is a temporary sound. If the bird is rescued, the sound will vanish. Therefore the present continuous tense should be used. How come the correct answer is the present simple tense?

Please help me. I have correctly answered the other questions. That has been a great improvement for me.

Thank you.
  

Top answer

As you say they are state verbs so avoid using them in the continuous form. Do you doubt that she will be home tonight at the point of speech? - Then the simple form is fine.

— Dave Phillips

  • As you say they are state verbs so avoid using them in the continuous form.
  • Do you doubt that she will be home tonight at the point of speech?
  • - Then the simple form is fine.
  • This stereo sounds great is no different to It sounds like.
  • Just use the continuous form for action verbs.
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1 Answers
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As you say they are state verbs so avoid using them in the continuous form. Do you doubt that she will be home tonight at the point of speech? - Then the simple form is fine.

This stereo sounds great is no different to It sounds like.

Just use the continuous form for action verbs.
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