student asking question

Are there any difference in meaning between "somebody who is like that" and "somebody who is being like that"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Yes, there is a slight difference in meaning between "somebody who is like that" and "somebody who is being like that". The word "being" indicates present tense, and so "somebody who is being like that" refers to somebody who is acting a certain way in the present. If you were to omit "being" and just say "somebody who is like that", this would refer to somebody who always acts a certain way, not just in the present, but permanently as a part of their character. So without "being" in this case, the characteristic is more permanent and not just something of the present. Here's another example of this: Ex: She is being rude. Ex: She is rude.

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