Which tense is better, please

Question

Hi teachers,

I want to ask you something about the difference between Present simple and Present continuous in the following sentence, please.

Here is the sentence:

- The river nile ___________ (a. flows b. is flowing) into the Mediterranean.

I think both the options are possible in the example above, but I think the 'present simple (flows)' would be more appropriate. Please tell me how you feel about what I have said.

Thank you all.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

As this is a permanent feature of the Nile, 'flows' is the natural tense form.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

It has done so for a million years or more, so the simple present fits best.
Nile is a proper noun, so it requires capitalization.

https://www.utdallas.edu/geosciences/remsens/Nile/geology.html

CalifJim · Answer

LaboriousThe river Nile is flowing into the Mediterranean.

While the sentence above is certainly not false, it's not particularly appropriate when reporting this sort of general fact.

Similar true but inappropriately phrased statements:

Maple trees are growing in Vermont.
Smoking is damaging people's health.
Many gallons of water are falling over Victoria Falls.

The reason is that the intent is to focus on the generality of the situation, not any specific moment at which it occurs.

CJ

Which tense is better, please

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