play versus playing (here)

English translation: subtle difference

15:37 Mar 11, 2004
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Poetry & Literature
English term or phrase: play versus playing (here)
as in:

After the 'deal' was struck Ada comes to visit Baines and leaves her daughter play outside
lafresita (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:25
Selected answer:subtle difference
Explanation:
To my ears, 'playing' means that the daughter IS already playing and Ada does not disturb her in her play.

However, 'to play' means that the daughter is not YET playing when Ada leaves her.

My take on it from the USA.
Selected response from:

jccantrell
United States
Local time: 03:25
Grading comment
playing in this case. Thank you very much for pointing this subtle difference! Thanks to all!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +9playing
Todd Field
4 +2playing / to play
jerrie
4 +2subtle difference
jccantrell


  

Answers


1 min   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +9
playing


Explanation:
Definitely in this case.

Good luck!

Todd Field
United States
Local time: 04:25
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Vicky Papaprodromou
4 mins

agree  Sonia Hill
13 mins

agree  lindaellen (X)
29 mins

agree  Madeleine MacRae Klintebo
56 mins

agree  Armorel Young
1 hr

agree  Rajan Chopra
1 hr

agree  Liesbeth Huijer
1 hr

agree  mannix
2 hrs

agree  trautlady: agree, she could also say let her daughter go autside to play
10 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
playing / to play


Explanation:
leaves her daughter playing outside
leaves her daughter outside to play
(to play outside)

jerrie
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:25
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 96

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  vixen
6 mins

agree  Madeleine MacRae Klintebo
53 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

59 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
subtle difference


Explanation:
To my ears, 'playing' means that the daughter IS already playing and Ada does not disturb her in her play.

However, 'to play' means that the daughter is not YET playing when Ada leaves her.

My take on it from the USA.

jccantrell
United States
Local time: 03:25
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 44
Grading comment
playing in this case. Thank you very much for pointing this subtle difference! Thanks to all!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Hacene: entirely, the chronoticsm of the form is important and primordial
3 hrs

agree  Todd Field: good description
3 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search