You hear something and look up.

[hhtt21]

Would you please explain why the simple present is prefable in "You hear something and look up.Smoke, ash, steam and rock start to flying out of the ground." and present continuous is prefable in "A volcanic eruption is starting" in "You hear something and look up.Smoke, ash, steam and rock start to flying out of the ground.

https://books.google.com.tr/books?i...v=onepage&q="volcanic eruptions" gill&f=false

Thank you.

 

[hhtt21]

'You hear something and look up' is about punctual actions. They have (virtually) no duration. The starting of the eruption process is a longer process. It has duration.

What do you mean by punctual actions?

Thank you.

 

[hhtt21]

As I suggested, punctual actions have virtually no duration. They occupy a point in time rather than a period.

Could you say "duly actions" instead of "punctual actions"?

Thank you.

 

[hhtt21]

No.

Is "punctual" you have used fit with the definition in the link? If so can we say "prompt actions" and "timely actions"?

http://www.wordwebonline.com/search.pl?w=punctual

Thank you.