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Listenever Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

I’m not liking the sound of this.

Is it natural to say "I’m not liking the sound of this." instead of "I don't like the sound of this"?

This is what Donald Trump said in an interview with Jimmy Fallon. (Source)
  

Top answer

" instead of "I don't like the sound of this"? Yes, if you mean you don't like where the conversation seems to be going. It sounds like an expression of suspicion about how the interview might continue.

— CalifJim

  • " instead of "I don't like the sound of this"?
  • Yes, if you mean you don't like where the conversation seems to be going.
  • It sounds like an expression of suspicion about how the interview might continue.
  • CJ
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4 Answers
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listeneverIs it natural to say "I’m not liking the sound of this." instead of "I don't like the sound of this"?
Yes, if you mean you don't like where the conversation seems to be going. It sounds like an expression of suspicion about how the interview might continue.

CJ
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You are right inasmuch as we don't usually use "like" in the progressive/continuous. I think he is just beginning to feel the not-liking, and that is stressed by this sentence more than if he had said, "I don't like the sound of this." He means it is beginning to sound like something he is not going to like. So, in this case, it works well.
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That sort of wording is common in Indian English.
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AnonymousThat sort of wording is common in Indian English.
That means, for those who use the continuous 'liking' where other varieties of English use the non-continuous, that there is no distinction between I don't like and I'm not liking because the latter is always used whether it means the former or the latter.

CJ
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