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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Pres. continuous for processes?
Hello, there is something that is bothering me/bothers me. This. We could say that Present Simple is better, when we talk about sth characteristic of us or sth that repeats. Well, this is me, this is the knowledge I do not possess. Therefore, can I say that it bothers me as well as "it is bothering me" (at this point of life)?
Consequently, there are sentences like "When we talk about foreigners, we should always do this and that/ when we are talking about foreigners, we should do this and that" Can both sentences be correct? The first one seems more logical to me, although the second one could also be true, when we think about a specific situation maybe? If you could clarify how this works, I woud be grateful.
Cheers,
Jan
Consequently, there are sentences like "When we talk about foreigners, we should always do this and that/ when we are talking about foreigners, we should do this and that" Can both sentences be correct? The first one seems more logical to me, although the second one could also be true, when we think about a specific situation maybe? If you could clarify how this works, I woud be grateful.
Cheers,
Jan
Top answer
If you separate the meanings very strictly, you have this: The non-continuous form is for situations that are generally true. The continuous form is for situations that apply to the current situation. It bothers me (every time it happens.
- If you separate the meanings very strictly, you have this: The non-continuous form is for situations that are generally true.
- The continuous form is for situations that apply to the current situation.
- It bothers me (every time it happens.
- ) It is bothering me (at this moment, as I think about it.
- This is because of a recent problem.
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2 Answers
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If you separate the meanings very strictly, you have this:
The non-continuous form is for situations that are generally true.
The continuous form is for situations that apply to the current situation.
It bothers me (every time it happens. I am just the kind of person who is always bothered by this sort of thing.)
It is bothering me (at this moment, as I thi
The non-continuous form is for situations that are generally true.
The continuous form is for situations that apply to the current situation.
It bothers me (every time it happens. I am just the kind of person who is always bothered by this sort of thing.)
It is bothering me (at this moment, as I thi
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Thank you a lot, CJ.
Your answer confirmed my hunch and, well, made me realize that sometimes I will have to rely on a hunch with this grammar usage
Your answer confirmed my hunch and, well, made me realize that sometimes I will have to rely on a hunch with this grammar usage
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