Distinguishing between?

[Richard Togher]

Hello.

Can someone please tell me which of the two sentences is preferrable:

A) "i have trouble distinguishing ONE FROM THE OTHER"

B) "i have trouble distinguishing BETWEEN ONE OR THE OTHER"

I would also like to know if the often-used sentence: "I'm LIKING / LOVING this" is an acceptable alternative to: "I LIKE / LOVE this"

Many thanks!

[Dany]

Originally Posted by Richard Togher

Hello.

Can someone please tell me which of the two sentences is preferrable:

A) "i have trouble distinguishing ONE FROM THE OTHER"

B) "i have trouble distinguishing BETWEEN ONE OR THE OTHER"

I would also like to know if the often-used sentence: "I'm LIKING / LOVING this" is an acceptable alternative to: "I LIKE / LOVE this"

Many thanks!

Hello Richard,

I am not quiet sure about your first question. I think the first one is correct.

To your second question:
"like" and "love" are "non-continuous Verbs". These verbs are ususally things you cannot see somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in "continuous" tenses.

Non-continuous Verbs indclude:

Abstract Verbs
Example: to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care etc.

Possession Verbs
Example: to possess, to own, to belong

Emotion Verbs
Example: to like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind etc.

Examples:
He is here now = correct
He is being here now = not correct

He likes me = correct
He is liking me = not correct


Best wishes,
Dany

[fiona bramble]

Hi,
I prefer #1 too, but I think #2 is possible, although I would probably say "between one and the other".
Dany has given you good advice re: "the continuous verbs", especially to explain your examples, but I just want to add that there are exceptions and contexts wehere you might hear/read some of those verbs in the continuous (or progressive) form.
Some examples:
He is being silly (meaning: he is acting silly at this moment)
He is wanting/is needing to drop out of his classes (I'm not sure why we say this sometimes; perhaps it emphasizes the emotion)
They are fearing for their lives (with the prepositon "for" and meaning a specific fear at a particular moment, rather than "I fear the dark" (always)
We are caring for their children ( same as above)

There are many more exceptions...context is sooooooooo important!
Plus, where I live, I often hear people say: "oh, she's liking that"; I think meaning "she's enjoying that"

Good luck