and we <do><are doing> it right now

[JJXR]

Hello to all,

Thanks for reading my post.


Source:

Coronavirus Updates: Economic Rescue Legislation, Unemployment Projections

Sample sentence:

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Social distancing - such an important phrase - and we <do><are doing> it right now - the more lives we can save and the sooner we can eventually get people back to work, back to school and back to normal.

Question:

The simple present "do" is used in the original. I wonder if the present continuous "are doing" is also correct in this case.


Thanks a lot for any comments, corrections or suggestions!

Regards,
JJXR

 

[MrMuselk]

Well, I think he is referring to people who aren’t doing it with that conjugation. Your example is also quite good, but slightly changes Trump’s meaning.

 

[JJXR]

Thanks for the response, MrMuselk.

The simple form is equivalent to saying something like: "Let's all do it right now." Is this correct?

 

[MrMuselk]

Yes, pretty much.

 

[Edinburgher]

The simple form is equivalent to saying something like: "Let's all do it right now." Is this correct?

No. It means we have adopted the habit of doing it. "Let's do it" would be a call to those who aren't already doing it, to start doing it.

 

[JJXR]

Thanks for your responses, MrMuselk and Edinburgher.