Harry Potter subtitles "Keep your feet on the ground while I take him to the hospital wing"
Hey there!

Keep your feet on the ground
while I take him to the hospital wing.

I don't understand the usage of the Present Simple in this clause "while I take him to the hospital wing." If I was saying it, I would say "while I am taking him to the hospital wing."

What's the difference? Are the both variants correct?

Thank you!

Yevgheniy

Question

Harry Potter subtitles "Keep your feet on the ground while I take him to the hospital wing"
Hey there!

Keep your feet on the ground
while I take him to the hospital wing.

I don't understand the usage of the Present Simple in this clause "while I take him to the hospital wing." If I was saying it, I would say "while I am taking him to the hospital wing."

What's the difference? Are the both variants correct?

Thank you!

Yevgheniy

Answer

Only present simple would be correct.

At the time the person is making the statement, they are not on their way yet => present simple. The use of the present continuous in this context is a bit off: it is not happening as the person is speaking, and they are not communicating a fixed plan or intention, because it is dependent on the other person keeping their feet on the ground.

Answers · 2

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