What's the difference in the meaning?

Question

He is generous.Vs He has been generous.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

AnonymousHe is generous.

Now.

AnonymousHe has been generous.

From a time in the past until now.

CJ

Reegis · Answer

Can He is generous mean that he is generous not only now, but also in general, that this is his personal trait?

To emphasize temporariness, can we say He is being generous [now because of his ongoing activities]?

CalifJim · Answer

ReegisCan He is generous mean that he is generous in general, that this is his personal trait?

Yes.

ReegisTo emphasize temporariness, can we say He is being generous ...

Yes, but that would normally be very temporary — a remark about something he had just done very recently. It could be about on-going activities, but the idea is that being generous isn't his usual mode of behavior.

CJ

Reegis · Answer

CalifJimYes, but that would normally be very temporary — a remark about something he had just done very recently. It could be about on-going activities, but the idea is that being generous isn't his usual mode of behavior.

Hmmm, so if somebody would say, for example:
You are being polite.
Then can it (or maybe even should?) be construed by a receiver as a negative remark and suggestion that normally he is impolite and his current behaviour is surprising?

And on the other side if we say:
You are rude.
It might mean that somebody is rude now, and also might mean that rudeness is his personal trait - is there a way to recognize what meaning is meant?

CalifJim · Answer

ReegisHmmm, so if somebody would say, for example:You are being polite.Then can it (or maybe even should?) be construed by a receiver as a negative remark and suggestion that normally he is impolite and his current behaviour is surprising?

Yes, more or less. It can be construed as negative (with the right tone of voice). It can even be sarcastic. Yes.

Well, aren't you being polite?

It need not be construed that way, however.

Oh, you don't have to thank me for such a small thing. You're just being polite.

ReegisYou are rude.It might mean that somebody is rude now, and also might mean that rudeness is his personal trait - is there a way to recognize what meaning is meant?

You are rude. ~ You are a rude person. (It's part of your character.)
These are normally third person. I think he's rude. / He's so rude.

You are being rude. Stop being rude! (Don't talk to others as you are doing now.)

CJ

Reegis · Answer

CalifJimYes, more or less. It can be construed as negative (with the right tone of voice). It can even be sarcastic. Yes.Well, aren't you being polite? It need not be construed that way, however.Oh, you don't have to thank me for such a small thing. You're just being polite.

Thanks! Now it is crystal clear:)

CalifJimYou are rude. ~ You are a rude person. (It's part of your character.)

So let me ask one final question - this doesn't mean that somebody is rude [only] now, it always means that this is part of his character? I am asking because you said 'Now' in your first comment in this thread and it seems to be contradictory to the above comment. Or perhaps I didn't understand it.

CalifJim · Answer

Your first question was about the difference between the simple present tense and the present perfect tense. The general difference is "now" ("during this time", "these days", "as I see it now", etc.) vs "from a past time until now". These generalities must always be modified according to the meaning of the words, the context, the type of verb, etc.

Your subsequent question was about the difference between the simple present and the present continuous for adjectives that can portray character and mood. This is a different question. Here the verb be indicates something more permanent when in the simple present tense and something more temporary when in the present continuous.

These are two completely different comparisons of tenses, two different pairs of tenses which we are contrasting.

CJ

Reegis · Answer

Well, actually it wasn't me who asked the original question. If it had been me, this thread would have already contained all three situations:) I just joined this conversation because I like your explanations and because I felt that the author was asking mainly about the adjective used in the given contexts.

Nevertheless, now it is clear! Thanks again, CalifJim.

Btw. I don't know how will I ever repay your kindness

CalifJim · Answer

ReegisWell, actually it wasn't me who asked the original question.

OK. Sometimes people forget to sign in and don't use their non-anonymous name until they realize what they've done. I thought that was what might have happened.

ReegisNevertheless, now it is clear!

OK. Good!

CJ

What's the difference in the meaning?

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