"to ask" and "to be asking"

Question

To be asking them to go home and, after they've had their full afternoon of activities...What's the difference if use "to ask" instead?Thanks

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

I cannot really tell what is intended, John-- could you give me the complete sentence, at least?

Johnleo · Answer

It's from an article about homework burden.

A father's comment: They're not little men or little women, they're children. To be asking them to go home and, after they've had their full afternoon of activities --- and they're learning in all of those settings --- to ask them after supper to now write an essay, to do a project... it's not optimal time.

Sorry, a little bit long.
I wondered if it means "to keep asking them to..."?
How about "to ask", and what is the difference?
Thanks.

CalifJim · Answer

It's somewhat unusual, but I would think the same as you. It suggests something that happens frequently, hence: to keep asking them to ....

CJ

Mister Micawber · Answer

Thanks, John. Your question is not easy to answer definitively, but some comments:

1-- The text is informal, a replica of spoken English, so the grammar is loose.
2-- You'll notice that the writer uses both forms you mention ('To be asking them to go home' and 'to ask them after supper'), and these are set parallel in the same sentence-- so the difference between them here is slight and in the mind of the speaker there may be no difference in intent.
3-- Neither one precisely means 'keep asking', but I think that that is implied in the text-- the father is speaking of a repeated situation.
4-- Generally, when both forms are possible in a sentence, the progressive form (e.g. 'be asking') is intended to emphasize the ongoing activity-- the effect of this is usually increased enthusiasm, concern or courtesy over the simple verb form. This is most easily seen when we cast a usually stative verb into the progressive:

A: How's your Romantic Literature class?

B1: Oh, I really love it!
B2: Oh, I'm really loving it!

Johnleo · Answer

Thanks.

"to ask" and "to be asking"

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