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Nicolas123 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Why did we use present continuous instead of simple present
Hello,
Why did we use present continuous instead of simple present in this following sentence:
It is horrible, especially when you are trying to do something about it.
It is because we are speaking about a temporary action?
Why did we use present continuous instead of simple present in this following sentence:
It is horrible, especially when you are trying to do something about it.
It is because we are speaking about a temporary action?
Top answer
"To be horrible" can be a continuous condition. "To try to do something" can also be a continuous action, but sometimes not. The question is, what sort of time relationship between the two things (the condition and the action) are you trying to describe.
- "To be horrible" can be a continuous condition.
- "To try to do something" can also be a continuous action, but sometimes not.
- The question is, what sort of time relationship between the two things (the condition and the action) are you trying to describe.
- If you say, "It is horrible, especially when you try to do something about it," the implication seems to be that the horribleness is continuous and you can then increase and decrease its intensity as you try and then stop trying.
- I think the original version describes a situation in which both the condition and the action are continuous.
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1 Answers
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"To be horrible" can be a continuous condition.
"To try to do something" can also be a continuous action, but sometimes not.
The question is, what sort of time relationship between the two things (the condition and the action) are you trying to describe.
If you say, "It is horrible, especially when you try to do something about it," the implication seems to be that the h
"To try to do something" can also be a continuous action, but sometimes not.
The question is, what sort of time relationship between the two things (the condition and the action) are you trying to describe.
If you say, "It is horrible, especially when you try to do something about it," the implication seems to be that the h
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