Grammer check

Question

Is "I'm lovin it" a gramatically correct sentence?

Dave Phillips · Accepted Answer

No, state verbs like love can't be used in the progressive form (ing).

Ivanhr · Answer

Dave PhillipsNo, state verbs like love can't be used in the progressive form (ing).

Generally speaking, I agree.

But we've all heard "I'm lovin' it", (McDonald's commercial) and I remember that this particular advertisement sparked discussion about its grammatical correctness.

Also, there's a song by Led Zeppelin called "Since I've been loving you" and this particular usage seems quite common so I'd be inclined to at least consider certain usages of "loving" grammatical/acceptable.

Dave Phillips · Answer

Ivanhr
Dave PhillipsNo, state verbs like love can't be used in the progressive form (ing).

Generally speaking, I agree.
But we've all heard "I'm lovin' it", (McDonald's commercial) and I remember that this particular advertisement sparked discussion about its grammatical correctness.

Also, there's a song by Led Zeppelin called "Since I've been loving you" and this particular usage seems quite common so I'd be inclined to at least consider certain usages of "loving" grammatical/acceptable.

Because it is incorrect it sticks in peoples minds, hence the usage of it in advertising. I would tell English students that it is incorrect as they will be taught that in every book they use to study from. It save confusion later, not to mention that many students overuse the ing form. If this was in the lingistics section then I think the discussion might be worth continuing but is more likely to confuse.

Grammer check

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions