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Taka Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

When

Do these two work? If they do, do they mean exactly the same? If they are not the same in meaning, what is the difference?

When you read a book, you need to concentrate on it. but when you play a video game, you don't need to.
When you are reading a book, you need to concentrate on it, but when you are playing a video game, you don't have to.
  

Top answer

They are both natural and have the same meaning, but there is something about the second one I don't like. The pronoun "it" in the first one is the book. This lets it be elliptical in the "but" clause and stand for the video game there.

— Enoon

  • They are both natural and have the same meaning, but there is something about the second one I don't like.
  • The pronoun "it" in the first one is the book.
  • This lets it be elliptical in the "but" clause and stand for the video game there.
  • In the second sentence, the pronoun might be the act of reading, leaving it, tacit though it is, with no explicit antecedent in the "but" clause.
  • This is nitpicking on my part, I am sure.
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13 Answers
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They are both natural and have the same meaning, but there is something about the second one I don't like. The pronoun "it" in the first one is the book. This lets it be elliptical in the "but" clause and stand for the video game there. In the second sentence, the pronoun might be the act of reading, leaving it, tacit though it is, with no explicit antecedent in the "but" clause. This is nitpickin
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enoon. The pronoun "it" in the first one is the book. This lets it be elliptical in the "but" clause and stand for the video game there.
Oh, that's right. It was careless of me to make such a mistake.

Then what about these?

When you read a book, you have to make mental effort, but when you play a video game, you don't have t
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I beg to differ! Many video games require concentration! Have you played any Zelda games? Emotion: swear

More to the point...
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Aspara GusThere is no difference in meaning whatsoever.
I don't agree. The progressive form implies duration. It may also suggest the process rather than the complete action.
The non-progressive form does not imply duration, and may suggest the complete action.

With these particular sentences, the difference is not particularly significant, but i
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fivejedjonI don't agree. The progressive form implies duration. It may also suggest the process rather than the complete action.
The non-progressive form does not imply duration, and may suggest the complete action.
To me, both sentences state that reading a book requires concentration, whereas playing a video game does not. I sense not the subtlest differ
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Aspara GusTo me, both sentences state that reading a book requires concentration, whereas playing a video game does not.
Indeed they do.
Aspara GusI sense not the subtlest difference between the two.
The fact that you do not does not automatically mean there isn't one.
Aspara GusProgressive tenses are
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fivejedjonDo you have any evidence for that statement?
Yes, I do: the original poster's example sentences.

When you read a book, you need to concentrate on it. but when you play a video game, you don't need to.
When you are reading a book, you need to concentrate on it, but when you are playing a video game, y
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Aspara GusMore evidence that comes to mind is a recent thread concerning a similar case.I told myself that I would practice my Spanish with you this morning.vs.I was telling myself that I would practice my Spanish with you this morning.Page 2:
The only 'evidence' in that thread is your statement, "Most likely, the past progressive is not needed here."
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fivejedjonThe only 'evidence' in that thread is your statement, "Most likely, the past progressive is not needed here."
That isn't the post to which I referred you. There is another.
fivejedjonYes, but I feel that the meaning is changed, albeit slightly.
Explain the change in greater detail, please.
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Aspara GusfivejedjonThe only 'evidence' in that thread is your statement, "Most likely, the past progressive is not needed here."That isn't the post to which I referred you.
I took your quotation from page 2 of the thread to which you provided a link.
Aspara GusThere is another.fivejedjonYes, but I feel that the meaning is changed, albe
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