0
Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

'plan' is a state verb?

I have been taught that the present simple is used to state that general facts that was true in

the past, are true in the presen, will be true in the future.

and with state verbs the present simple is used to refer to present states or present

situation.

and I thought 'plan' is a action verb(non-state), so I supposed that the present continuos

tense is correct to express a present action with "plan'.

but lots of sentences start with "she/he plans to" to describe the present situation.

Is "plan" a state verb, then?

can someone explain me?

thank you in advance.
  

Top answer

This 'rule' in particular is not a reliable one. In addition, 'plans' can refer to a present action or a future intention.. and sometimes the meanings are a bit different.

— Mister Micawber

  • This 'rule' in particular is not a reliable one.
  • In addition, 'plans' can refer to a present action or a future intention..
  • and sometimes the meanings are a bit different.
  • Both of these are fine: She is planning to go to Harvard -- she is thinking about it and working on it.
  • She plans to go to Harvard -- it is her intention.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
.
This 'rule' in particular is not a reliable one. In addition, 'plans' can refer to a present action or a future intention.. and sometimes the meanings are a bit different. Both of these are fine:

She is planning to go to Harvard-- she is thinking about it and working on it.
She plans to go to Harvard-- it is her intention.
.
0

Related Questions