Grammar: tenses ("He usually gets up at..." and "Today he's getting up at...")

Question

Hello there teachers,

I've these two sentences, one in present simple tense and the other in present continuous. I'm having difficulty understanding the difference in the meanings of them.

Here are the sentences:

- He usually gets up at quarter past six.

- Today he is getting up at half past seven.

I know the first one with the present simple describes an action that occurs repeated or something that he does routinely or habitually.

I'd like you to help me by telling me how the second sentence (which is in present continous) distinguishes from the first one in meaning, please. What meaning does it convey? It's not something that is happing right now, nor is It something that is time-tabled or scheduled.Then what sort of use of present continuous tense is this?

Thank you all.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

TomJ- He usually gets up at quarter past six. - Today he is getting up at half past seven.

I imagine these sentences being said by the same person around 6:45 am.

He is in the habit of getting up at 6:15, but today he will be changing his routine. Today he plans to get up at 7:30.

I think that should answer your questions about these sentences.

CJ

GPY · Answer

The most likely interpretation of the second one is that it is referring to a future scheduled or expected event (i.e. said before 7:30 on the day in question).

TomJ · Answer

Thanks to both of you!

... I'm really very glad to learn from you people.

Grammar: tenses ("He usually gets up at..." and "Today he's getting up at...")

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