reek of something

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GUEST2008

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Hi

Can I use the present continuous tense with the expression "reek of". For example: "You're reeking of cigarette smoke".
 
Hi

Can I use the present continuous tense with the expression "reek of". For example: "You're reeking of cigarette smoke".

Yes, it's OK, or simply, "You reek of etc."
 
The simple form sounds more natural to me.
 
:up: I agree.

[Etymological_excursus]
It's odd (and appropriate) that the OP's example involved smoke. In Scottish English, 'reek' means 'give off smoke'. A traditional good wish is 'Lang may y'r lum reek' [='Long may your chimney smoke' - that is 'Long may you continue to prosper [which is demonstrated, in a cold climate, by a constant fire]. In the days when Edinburgh was becoming one of the first built-up areas in Scotland, it was known as 'Auld Reekie' - although today it's not regarded as a particularly smokey place.
[/Etymological_excursus]

b
 
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