Tense: I rock/ I'm rocking

Question

Hi, I'd like to know if continous tense (I am rocking) works in the following sentence? Continuous tense can mean repeating action, right? So does it make sense to use I'm rocking? Thanks for your help~

AT THREE in the morning I sneak down to the hammock, where I rock absently in the still night, watching the stars flicker through the limbs and leaves, recalling every delightful move she made, hearing her troubled voice, dreaming of those legs.

Source: The Rainman.

Skuld · Accepted Answer

Hello,

To my knowledge, present continuous tense does not reflect repeated actions, but rather, what you are doing "now" , planning to do in the future, or a temporary action..

"I am writing." - I am writing at this moment in time
"I am writing a letter after dinner" - (planned action) I plan on writing a letter in the near future
"I `m writing about ionic polarization in this article." - I don`t usually write about this, but I do now

, whereas present tense is used for repeated or permanent actions:
"I write." - I usually write, I am writer, I do this for a living..

The only time present continuous is used to indicate repetition is when you want to show that you are irritated or annoyed with something , e.g. :

"He is always bragging about his car."
"He is constantly talking."

Cheers,
Diana

Tense: I rock/ I'm rocking

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