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Whatchadoin Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Present continuous

Hello;

I heard on a TV show the following sentence.

Are you getting enough sleep? - Why did the doctor use present continuous? What's the difference between 'Do you get enough sleep?' and the sentence that I've posted?

I also heard these.

Isn't that why you're playing your little game "I'm a high-school human"? - He wasn't playing the game at the moment of the utterance.

Is it working Stefan? - I have no idea why the speaker used this one. The working had nothing to do with anything at that very moment.

Could a native speaker of AmE help me with this? Thanks.
  

Top answer

Are you getting enough sleep? - Why did the doctor use present continuous? -- It refers to 'generally, nowadays' which also means 'now' when we use present continuous and wish some emphasis or emotional component to the utterance.

— Mister Micawber

  • Are you getting enough sleep?
  • - Why did the doctor use present continuous?
  • -- It refers to 'generally, nowadays' which also means 'now' when we use present continuous and wish some emphasis or emotional component to the utterance.
  • Isn't that why you're playing your little game "I'm a high-school human"?
  • -- As explained above.
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6 Answers
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Are you getting enough sleep? - Why did the doctor use present continuous? -- It refers to 'generally, nowadays' which also means 'now' when we use present continuous and wish some emphasis or emotional component to the utterance.

Isn't that why you're playing your little game "I'm a high-school human"? - He wasn't playing the game at the moment of the utterance.-- As explai
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Mister MicawberIt refers to 'generally, nowadays'
Does it refer to generally or nowadays? Don't we use simple present for things that are general facts? As in: I live in the USA.

Is the difference between "Are you getting enough sleep?" and "Do you get enough sleep?" huge? Do native speakers use them interchangeably in such situations?
How do the
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whatchadoinDoes it refer to generally or nowadays?
Both or either.
whatchadoinDon't we use simple present for things that are general facts? As in: I live in the USA.
You may. 'I am living in the USA' also refers to a general fact, but with a twist, eh?
whatchadoinIs the difference between "Are you g
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Can I say "I'm going to the gym every day." and "I go to the gym every day." with the same passion?
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whatchadoinCan I say "I'm going to the gym every day." and "I go to the gym every day." with the same passion?
There is a difference - it all depends on how the speaker views the situation. "I'm going to the gym every day" implies a relatively temporary arrangement. At the time of speaking you may be going to the gym every day, but your daily visits may well c
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Yes, but I'm talking about my habitual activity. Does "I'm going to the gym every day." sound that I'm more passionate about it?
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