[Grammar] We should be hurrying/should hurry. We're late!

[kadioguy]

The continuous infinitive is used to express a continuing action after a verb or auxiliary which must be followed by the infinitive. The continuous infinitive is formed: (to) be + present participle

[...]

Examples

I'd really like to be swimming in a nice cool pool right now.

I happened to be waiting for the bus when the accident happened.

It must be nice to be going to a wedding overseas.

You must be joking!

We should be hurrying. We're late!

You'd better be working on your report when I get there.

https://www.ef.co.nz/english-resources/english-grammar/continuous-infinitive/
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a. We should be hurrying. We're late!

b. We should hurry. We're late! (my sentence)

1. What does the -ing form in (a) mean?

2. What different effect exists between (a) and (b)?

 

[tedmc]

I think (a) implies that the speaker and others should have been hurrying but did not. It is said on hindsight of a situation.

P.S. No, if it was "should have been hurrying", the above would have been true. The be with the progressive tense merely gives a sense of immediacy.

 

[tzfujimino]

I think a. conveys a sense of urgency more effectively than b.

 

[jutfrank]

a. implies the thought We are not hurrying.