kadioguy
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- Mar 4, 2017
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- Student or Learner
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(In Oxford Oxford Advanced Learner's English-Chinese Dictionary 4th ed.)
a bad dream
situation that is so unpleasant one cannot believe it is real
You can't be leaving me - this is a bad dream!
--------------------
Why is the example sentence in the present progressive?
a. You can't be leaving me ...
b. You can't leave me ...
What different effects do (a) and (b) have?
------------------
I assume that the following can apply to (a), but I don't know what different effects (a) and (b) have.
Practical English Usage 3rd ed.
214
We use the present progressive for future actions and events that have some present reality. It is most common in discussions of personal arrangements and fixed plans, when the time and place have been decided.
What are you doing this evening? ~ I'm washing my hair.
I'm seeing Larry on Saturday.
We're travelling round Mexico next summer.
Did you know I'm getting a new job?
What are we having for dinner?
My car's going in for a service next week.
---------------
(Source)
a bad dream
situation that is so unpleasant one cannot believe it is real
You can't be leaving me - this is a bad dream!
--------------------
Why is the example sentence in the present progressive?
a. You can't be leaving me ...
b. You can't leave me ...
What different effects do (a) and (b) have?
------------------
I assume that the following can apply to (a), but I don't know what different effects (a) and (b) have.
Practical English Usage 3rd ed.
214
We use the present progressive for future actions and events that have some present reality. It is most common in discussions of personal arrangements and fixed plans, when the time and place have been decided.
What are you doing this evening? ~ I'm washing my hair.
I'm seeing Larry on Saturday.
We're travelling round Mexico next summer.
Did you know I'm getting a new job?
What are we having for dinner?
My car's going in for a service next week.
---------------
(Source)
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