Where could she be going? / Where could she go?

[jesus]

Hello.

What is the difference between these sentences?

- Where could she be going?
- Where could she go?

Thanks.

[Marius Hancu]

- Where could she be going? [You see someone on the street now, and wonder about what she is doing right now.

- Where could she go? [General question: she is in a difficult situation, where could she go for help?

[Bridget]

- Where could she go? [General question: she is in a difficult situation, where could she go for help?

???

A: Sally wants to go on holiday.

B: Where could she go?

A; I was thinking, Malta or Manila, maybe.

[MrPedantic]

I think I would agree with Marius's implication.

1. Where could X be going?

— Here, we assume that the destination has already been decided. (Perhaps we are wondering about the destination of a friend in the street.)

2. Where could X go?

— Here, we assume that destination has not been decided. Perhaps, as has been suggested, the person is in trouble; perhaps she is choosing a holiday destination.

Best wishes,

MrP

[Bridget]

2. Where could X go?

— Here, we assume that destination has not been decided. Perhaps, as has been suggested, the person is in trouble; perhaps she is choosing a holiday destination.



We also find examples such as this:

Susan's run away!

Really? Where could she go? She doesn't know anyone.