You can't watch/be watching

[GUEST2008]

Hi

You can't watch TV round the clock, it's bad for your eyes.
You can't be watching TV round the clock, it's bad for your eyes.

--- Which is better?

 

[bhaisahab]

Hi

You can't watch TV round the clock, it's bad for your eyes.
You can't be watching TV round the clock, it's bad for your eyes.

--- Which is better?

The first one is correct. However, in some dialects of English you will hear the second used.

 

[emsr2d2]

The first one is correct. However, in some dialects of English you will hear the second used.

I agree entirely. My Irish grandfather would certainly have used "You can't be watching..."

 

[bhaisahab]

I agree entirely. My Irish grandfather would certainly have used "You can't be watching..."

It was Irish English I had in mind.

 

[SoothingDave]

"You can't be watching..." sounds OK to me.

 

[BobK]

"You can't be watching..." sounds OK to me.

And to me - but in a different context. 'What's wrong with the ref? He can't be watching the same game as everyone else.' ;-)

b