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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

The train leaves at 7 o'clock.

The train leaves at 7 o'clock.

The train is leaving at 7 o'clock.

Do you native English speakers feel any difference in meaning and use them differently? Thank you so much as always in advance.
  

Top answer

Hi There is a difference because "the train" can refer to the train service or the actual train. It is difficult to explain, but the following can make sense... - Tonight, the train that leaves at 7:00 is leaving at 7:15 In that case the train service that should leave at 7:00 is actually going to leave 15 minutes late Dave

— Dave_anon

  • Hi There is a difference because "the train" can refer to the train service or the actual train.
  • It is difficult to explain, but the following can make sense...
  • - Tonight, the train that leaves at 7:00 is leaving at 7:15 In that case the train service that should leave at 7:00 is actually going to leave 15 minutes late Dave
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2 Answers
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Hi

There is a difference because "the train" can refer to the train service or the actual train. It is difficult to explain, but the following can make sense...

- Tonight, the train that leaves at 7:00 is leaving at 7:15

In that case the train service that should leave at 7:00 is actually going to leave 15 minutes late

Dave
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AnonymousDo you native English speakers feel any difference in meaning and use them differently?
No. We often use the present progressive to indicate usually near-future events as we would with the simple present, but usually only when a person is the subject. So, I’m leaving at 7 o’clock is much more natural and likely to be said than The train is l
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