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Nsfs2 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

When you're smiling

Hi,

In a Frank Sinatra's song,he says:'When you'r smiling, the whole world smiles with you.'

Why does he use the present continuous and not the simple present?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

It fits the meter.

— Mister Micawber

  • It fits the meter.
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11 Answers
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Mister MicawberIt fits the meter.
Thanks.

Is it considered grammatical?
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Yes, it is perfectly fine.
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Mister MicawberYes, it is perfectly fine.
What different connotations does the present continuous give,if used instead of the simple present in the same structure?
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Mister MicawberI see none there.
So, can the present continuous substitute the simple present in all similar sentences,without any change in meaning?
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Probably not. The metrics of songs would usually demand one or the other.
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Mister MicawberProbably not. The metrics of songs would usually demand one or the other.
What a bout formal or informal speech and writing?Can the present continuous substitute the simple present,without any change in meaning?

I hope I'm not bothering you with my questions.

Thanks.
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Nobody's going to say that the present continuous can always be substituted for the simple present without any change in meaning.

If one of us did, somebody else would immediately find an example to prove us wrong.

Rover
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Rover_KENobody's going to say that the present continuous can always be substituted for the simple present without any change in meaning.If one of us did, somebody else would immediately find an example to prove us wrong.Rover
Thanks,Rover.

I didn't mean to suggest that I wanted to prove the two tenses had the same meaning;I just needed to see how usi
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