Look or is looking

[Rachel Adams]

I have learnt that "look" and "feel" are used in both present simple and continuous to say how somebody looks or feels as in:

1. "You look well today." Or "You are looking well today."

2. "How do you feel now?" Or "How are you feeling now?"
These examples are from "English Grammar in Use" by Raymond Murphy.

The third is from "Understanding and Using English Grammar" by Betty Schrampfer Azar. 3. "Right now I am looking at Janet. She (look) looks angry. I wonder what's the matter. She (have) has a frown on her face. She certainly isn't having any fun right now."

Is either present simple and continuous correct in the third sentence before "angry" because it is describing how she looks or does it mean "she seems angry"?

 

[Yankee]

The third is from "Understanding and Using English Grammar" by Betty Schrampfer Azar. 3. "Right now I am looking at Janet. She (look) looks angry. I wonder what's the matter. She (have) has a frown on her face. She certainly isn't having any fun right now."

Is either present simple and continuous correct in the third sentence before "angry" (Yes, either would be OK., but I would prefer "looks") because it is describing how she looks or does it mean "she seems angry"?

I would consider "looks" or "seems" in that context to be synonymous in terms of appearance.

 

[jutfrank]

Is either present simple and continuous correct in the third sentence before "angry" because it is describing how she looks

Right now I'm looking at Janet. She looks angry. :tick:

When you're describing someone's appearance (like in the second sentence), use look/looks in the present simple form.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Right now I'm looking at Janet. She looks angry. :tick:

When you're describing someone's appearance (like in the second sentence), use look/looks in the present simple form.

Don't Raymond Murphy's examples describe appearance?

1. "You look well today." Or "You are looking well today."

What's the difference between Raymond Murphy's example and the second book's example? "She looks angry."

 

[jutfrank]

Don't Raymond Murphy's examples describe appearance?

"You look well today." Or "You are looking well today."

Yes, they both describe appearance.

What's the difference between Raymond Murphy's example and the second book's example? "She looks angry."

Betty Azar is trying to show you the difference between the two very different meanings of the verb look. The point of that example is to show how this difference in meaning is tied to difference in aspect.

Here's a simple rule for you to follow: when you want to use look to describe appearance, use the present simple form.

Raymond Murphy's comment that the present continuous can also be used to describe appearance is meant to concede that native speakers don't always follow the simple rules that English teachers prescribe to intermediate-level learners. When people use the present continuous with verbs like look/sound/smell/taste/feel, it's because they have a reason to prefer the continuous aspect. You don't need to worry about this at the moment.

 

[Rachel Adams]

I remember that "smell", "taste", etc can be used in present simple and continuous. The difference between them is clear, but using "She is looking angry" isn't wrong either is it? If I wasn't saying that "She seems angry" but "She looks angry" it's her appearance right now.

 

[jutfrank]

I remember that "smell", "taste", etc can be used in present simple and continuous.

Yes, but then every verb can be used in the present simple and continuous, though that doesn't mean they should be. Also, it doesn't help you improve your English very much, does it?

The difference between them is clear

Really? Can you tell me what you think the difference is?

using "She is looking angry" isn't wrong either is it?

That's a terrible question, in my opinion. I think one of your biggest weaknesses is the fact you always want to know whether something is wrong. What do you mean by 'wrong', anyway?

 

[Rachel Adams]

Would a native speaker say "She is looking angry" in the same way as "You are looking well"? Does it also describe the person's appearance?

 

[GoesStation]

Would a native speaker say "She is looking angry" in the same way as "You are looking well"? Does it also describe the person's appearance?

It does, and the duration. You might use it in a context involving a warning: The boss wants to see you. Careful; she's looking angry!

 

[Rachel Adams]

It does, and the duration. You might use it in a context involving a warning: The boss wants to see you. Careful; she's looking angry!

Can I use it in the book's example to talk about her appearance and say: "Janet is looking angry".

 

[GoesStation]

Can I use it in the book's example to talk about her appearance and say [no colon] "Janet is looking angry"?

If you don't trust the book, you should discard it.

The meaning is slightly different. If you consume lots of contemporary English, paying close attention to the context, you will gradually grasp the nuances.

 

[probus]

In my opinion it's usually a matter of tone or register. With both look and feel I'd consider the present continuous slightly more informal or casual. But as GoesStation points out, duration enters into it too.

Doctor to patient: "How do you feel?" That's just a general inquiry about the present. "How are you feeling?" on the other hand hints that something has changed. Perhaps the patient has received some treatment, or maybe a new day has begun.