kadioguy
Key Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2017
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Chinese
- Home Country
- Taiwan
- Current Location
- Taiwan
[In a news photo]
As you can see, the present simple rather than the present progressive is used. I'm wondering why.
a. Scooter riders wearing masks wait on a congested off-ramp from Taipei Bridge ....
b. Scooter riders wearing masks are waiting on a congested off-ramp from Taipei Bridge ....
Are (a) and (b) both OK as a description of the photo?
A friend told me, "It's common in image descriptions like this to use simple present 'wait' over the present continuous 'are waiting'. You can't use 'are waiting' as it would mean they're waiting right now, even though the event is likely already over. It doesn't work in the context."
A member in another forum told me, "This is a caption under a photo. Captions should be concise, hence the use of the present simple." I replied, "Can we use the present progressive if there's enough room for the caption?" Then I didn't receive replies about that.
I appreciate their help; however, I would also like to hear your opinions.
As you can see, the present simple rather than the present progressive is used. I'm wondering why.
a. Scooter riders wearing masks wait on a congested off-ramp from Taipei Bridge ....
b. Scooter riders wearing masks are waiting on a congested off-ramp from Taipei Bridge ....
Are (a) and (b) both OK as a description of the photo?
A friend told me, "It's common in image descriptions like this to use simple present 'wait' over the present continuous 'are waiting'. You can't use 'are waiting' as it would mean they're waiting right now, even though the event is likely already over. It doesn't work in the context."
A member in another forum told me, "This is a caption under a photo. Captions should be concise, hence the use of the present simple." I replied, "Can we use the present progressive if there's enough room for the caption?" Then I didn't receive replies about that.
I appreciate their help; however, I would also like to hear your opinions.