What is the difference between sentence#1 and sentence#1?

Question

Hello,everyone.What is the difference between sentence#1 and sentence#1? I know there must be some subtle differences. Thanks for your help. Example 1#1: Black teenagers are constantly harassed by the police.#2: Black teenagers are being constantly harassed by the police.Example 2#1: The hardest thing is going to tell his girlfriend. #2: The hardest thing is going to be telling his girlfriend.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

What is the difference between sentence#1 and sentence#1? I know there must be some subtle

differences. Thanks for your help.

Example 1
#1: Black teenagers are constantly harassed by the police. States it as a simple fact.
#2: Black teenagers are being constantly harassed by the police. Stresses the duration, stresses that this happens all the time.

Example 2
#1: The hardest thing is going to tell his girlfriend. Sounds like you are physically going, eg getting on a bus and going to her house.

I'm sure this is not what you mean.

You probably mean The hardest thing is going to be to tell his girlfriend. This is OK, but less common than #2.
#2: The hardest thing is going to be telling his girlfriend. Sounds fine.

Clive

Bob2010 · Answer

Thanks, Clive. I find it that a slight difference can make a big change in meanings. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/3.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/3.gif' alt='Emotion: surprise'/>

What is the difference between sentence#1 and sentence#1?

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