Question
16 May
- Japanese
-
English (US)
Question about English (US)
What is the difference between They look to be talking. and They look talking. ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
What is the difference between They look to be talking. and They look talking. ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
Answers
When you "disagree" with an answer
The owner of it will not be notified.
Only the user who asked this question will see who disagreed with this answer.
Read more comments
- English (US)
In this case, only the first one ("they look to be talking") is possible, because "talking" can't be used as an adjective.
(You can't remark on "how talking" something is, like you can say "how tall" something is or "how exciting" a fact is.)
Highly-rated answerer
- English (US)
Both are incorrect. It should be “They look like they are talking” or “They look like they are having a conversation”
- English (US)
@whimsicalcactus Yeah, that does sound a lot more natural.
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
@us4gi
Thank you for the details.
I didn't know that, especially not all ing-form can be adjective.
I think Enjoying, exciting, etc. can be put after look, become, etc.
Why talking can't?
"You look like you are talking" is very redundant.
I wonder why this sentence "You look talking with someone." is incorrect.
Thank you for the details.
I didn't know that, especially not all ing-form can be adjective.
I think Enjoying, exciting, etc. can be put after look, become, etc.
Why talking can't?
"You look like you are talking" is very redundant.
I wonder why this sentence "You look talking with someone." is incorrect.
- Japanese
- English (US)
@Hiroaki-JP
For what it's worth, at least for present participles, there is a finite (albeit very large) number of "ing" words that can be straight adjectives.
That looks interesting → それ、興味深そう。
「興味をそそっているようにみえる」のではなく、「興味をそそるようなものでありそう」というような意味合いになります。
この意味合いの違いが大きなポイントの一つです。
で、例えば「彼の興味をそそっているようにみえる」という文を作るとすれば、
It looks like it is interesting him. (Or possibly "looks to be interesting him", but this is not very commonly used in conversation.)
もう一つのポイントとしては、him があるということで、他動詞だというのが分かります。
interest は基本、他動詞でしか使えません。
よって、目的語なしで interesting を使うと必然的に形容詞になります。
Highly-rated answerer
- Japanese
[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
Sign up
Similar questions
- What is the difference between look in the dictionary and look up the dictionary ?
- Which Both of them look good. sounds the most natural?
- What is the difference between it looks like... and it seems like... ?
Newest Questions
- What is the difference between some assignment and some assignments ?
- What is the difference between discrimination and racism ?
- What is the difference between as soon as and once ?
- What is the difference between what did you know that and How did you know that ?
- What is the difference between You would be shocked. and You would be surprised. ?
Topic Questions
- What is the difference between pig and hog ?
- What is the difference between heading off and heading out ?
- What is the difference between The seasoning determines the taste of the crab. and The taste of t...
- What is the difference between I've been wondering what it tastes like and I've been curious what...
- What is the difference between candy and sweets ?
Recommended Questions
- What is the difference between man and men ?
- What is the difference between rape and molest ?
- What is the difference between I'm down for it and I'm up for it ?
- What is the difference between hope everything goes well and hope everything's going well ?
- What is the difference between signature and printed name ?
Previous question/ Next question
What’s this symbol?
The Language Level symbol shows a user's proficiency in the languages they're interested in. Setting your Language Level helps other users provide you with answers that aren't too complex or too simple.
-
Beginner
Has difficulty understanding even short answers in this language.
-
Beginner-Intermediate
Can ask simple questions and can understand simple answers.
-
Intermediate
Can ask all types of general questions and can understand longer answers.
-
Advanced
Can understand long, complex answers.
Sign up for premium, and you can play other user's audio/video answers.
Tired of searching? HiNative can help you find that answer you're looking for.
