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Morrru Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
The present continuous vs the present simple
Hello,
I'd like to ask about the difference in meaning between present simple and present continuous in the context of verbs describing mental states.
In my grammar book I have found that some verbs presenting metal states like: think, realise, understand, find may be used in continuous form in order to emphasise that we are not sure about something or that we have recently started to think about something.
Does it mean that in the following sentence:
I regret she said that.
the verb regret describes somebody's general point of view or maybe complete assurance about something?
And does it mean that in the following sentence:
I'm regretting she said that.
the verb regretting refers to the fact that somebody has changed his/her point of view on something or maybe is not completely sure about something that happened.
Please explain and if possible provide more examples, explanations.
Martin
I'd like to ask about the difference in meaning between present simple and present continuous in the context of verbs describing mental states.
In my grammar book I have found that some verbs presenting metal states like: think, realise, understand, find may be used in continuous form in order to emphasise that we are not sure about something or that we have recently started to think about something.
Does it mean that in the following sentence:
I regret she said that.
the verb regret describes somebody's general point of view or maybe complete assurance about something?
And does it mean that in the following sentence:
I'm regretting she said that.
the verb regretting refers to the fact that somebody has changed his/her point of view on something or maybe is not completely sure about something that happened.
Please explain and if possible provide more examples, explanations.
Martin
Top answer
Simple is a state and continuous is around now. I think students should do more homework. (natural) I am thinking students...
- Simple is a state and continuous is around now.
- I think students should do more homework.
- (natural) I am thinking students...
- ) This is what I am doing now with my brain.
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2 Answers
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Simple is a state and continuous is around now.
I think students should do more homework. (natural)
I am thinking students... (sounds weird?) This is what I am doing now with my brain.
I think students should do more homework. (natural)
I am thinking students... (sounds weird?) This is what I am doing now with my brain.
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Check this out. It may help.
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Isn't it more logical to regret what you said rather than what someone else said?
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Isn't it more logical to regret what you said rather than what someone else said?
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