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Anglista2008 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
How come the present continuous?
Howdy,
Here's another sentence from the same book. This time it's the present continuous that I'm having (or have?) doubts about.
Why is it that we do not ordinarily realize how thoroughly we are being manipulated in a detective novel?
Frankly speaking, if I was to utter or such a sentence, I'd simply say [...] we are manipulated [...]
Cheers! Thanks!
Here's another sentence from the same book. This time it's the present continuous that I'm having (or have?) doubts about.
Why is it that we do not ordinarily realize how thoroughly we are being manipulated in a detective novel?
Frankly speaking, if I was to utter or such a sentence, I'd simply say [...] we are manipulated [...]
Cheers! Thanks!
Top answer
Hi Anglista Either one can be used. I'd say that using the continuous form (are being manipulated) focuses more on the process of manipulation during any given detective novel whereas the simple form (are manipulated) would present the manipulation as a complete act. In other words, the continuous adds a sense of duration.
- Hi Anglista Either one can be used.
- I'd say that using the continuous form (are being manipulated) focuses more on the process of manipulation during any given detective novel whereas the simple form (are manipulated) would present the manipulation as a complete act.
- In other words, the continuous adds a sense of duration.
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1 Answers
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Hi Anglista
Either one can be used. I'd say that using the continuous form (are being manipulated) focuses more on the process of manipulation during any given detective novel whereas the simple form (are manipulated) would present the manipulation as a complete act. In other words, the continuous adds a sense of duration.
Either one can be used. I'd say that using the continuous form (are being manipulated) focuses more on the process of manipulation during any given detective novel whereas the simple form (are manipulated) would present the manipulation as a complete act. In other words, the continuous adds a sense of duration.
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