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Masoud Kakoli Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Present progressive vs present tense

Hi!

How do these sentences differ with one another?

Where are you living now? I'm living in Esfahan.
Where do you live? I live in Esfahan.

My grammar book says the former places the emphasis on the progression of one event and the latter places the emphasis on the general idea that is denoted by the verb but what does "progression" mean in this context? Does it mean an event that is happening at the moment or it means a movement or change from one member of a continuous series to the next ?

Would you please clarify the difference for me?

Thanks in advance!
  

Top answer

If live is in the continuous present tense, it usually conveys the idea that a person lives somewhere temporarily : He is living in Melbourne now. - He may be in Melbourne because his work has taken him there for a year or two, or he may be a student at a local university. He lives in Melbourne.

— Virginia274

  • If live is in the continuous present tense, it usually conveys the idea that a person lives somewhere temporarily : He is living in Melbourne now.
  • - He may be in Melbourne because his work has taken him there for a year or two, or he may be a student at a local university.
  • He lives in Melbourne.
  • - His permanent residence is in Melbourne.
  • Perhaps he was born there.
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18 Answers
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If live is in the continuous present tense, it usually conveys the idea that a person lives somewhere temporarily:

He is living in Melbourne now.
- He may be in Melbourne because his work has taken him there for a year or two, or he may be a student at a local university.

He lives in Melbourne.
- His permanent residence is in Melbourne. Perhaps
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what does "progression" mean in this context?
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How does this sentence show us progression?
I'm living in Esfahan.
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Masoud KakoliWhat does "progression" mean in this context?
places the emphasis on the progression of one event

progress, development, on-going nature, continuous nature, existence through a period of time (not instantaneous)

CJ
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Masoud KakoliHow does this sentence show us progression?I'm living in Esfahan.
I don't think it does — at least not in any obvious way. With the verb 'live', the difference between continuous (living) and simple (live) is not so much a contrast between 'period of time' and 'point in time', but more a contrast between 'temporary' and 'permanent'.
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So do you think it is enough for me to know that the underlying difference between present and present progressive lies in the concept of temporary vs permanence?
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Masoud KakoliSo do you think it is enough for me to know that the underlying difference between present and present progressive lies in the concept of temporary vs permanence?
No. The MAIN difference is the contrast between on-going or in progress (is taking, is going, ...) and habitual (takes, goes, ...). This is what is most important
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I meant the main difference other than habitual vs in-progress. Emotion: smile
Anyway, thanks your posts clarified the difference for me.
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CalifJimNo. The MAIN difference is the contrast between on-going or in progress (is taking, is going, ...) and habitual (takes, goes, ...).
I don't often disagree with CJ, but I d on this point. I think that the main idea of the progressive forms is limited duration. In the examples below, the idea of on-going progress is not relevant those in r
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