Thread: "Why do you ask?" versus "Why are you asking?"
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Unread Nov 25th, 2013, 02:15 am
Laurent55 Laurent55 is offline
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Default "Why do you ask?" versus "Why are you asking?"
Why are you asking Tom? He does not know the answer. Ask me instead!

versus

No, I have not seen him lately. Why do you ask?


In both cases, it is a single action happening at or around the time of speaking. Why the difference, then?
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