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Seson Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Which tense to use? Present or present progressive?

Hi,

I have two sample sentences, but I'm unsure which tense to use here:

1) In a description of a computer system:
The camera continuously records a video stream.
OR
The camera is continuously recording a video stream.

2) When describing user behavior:
While the user moves the mouse, the computer calculates...
OR
While the user is moving the mouse, the computer calculates...
OR
While the user is moving the mouse, the computer is calculating...

Too many options. They all sound almost the same to me, but I'm sure they're different in meaning.

Thanks,
Sebas
  

Top answer

I see all of your choices as viable.

— Philip

  • I see all of your choices as viable.
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4 Answers
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I see all of your choices as viable.
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I guess so, but why? Are they interchangeable?
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sesonI guess so, but why? Are they interchangeable?
Not really interchangeable. It jus depends on what time frame you want to emphasize.
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Okay, so what is the difference exactly? (I guess that should have been my original question.)
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