I have the sentence: "...these are just some of the threatening headlines we are facing on a weekly basis..." But I know it sounds a lot better when 'we are facing' is changed to 'we face' : "...these are just some of the threatening headlines we face on a weekly basis..." But I can't understand why this is. Can anyone explain? I think the word 'facing' is a gerund word (please correct me if I'm wrong) whereas 'to face' is a verb. Generally speaking, should I make efforts to use a verb, rather than an '-ing' word to keep my writing punchy and engaging?
A gerund is a noun, as in "I like facing West"...facing West is a thing, a noun, which I like. "We are facing" is using the word facing as a verb (present participle), and implies an immediacy (it's what we're doing NOW), whereas "we face" implies a more ongoing action.
Yeah, that's not a gerund, not in that context. I agree that in the context of your example, "we face" fits better - as Shadowfax said, "we face" suggests continuous action, which sounds like what you're talking about if the thing is happening "on a weekly basis". I really should have just said "I agree with Shadowfax".
