Lesson focus

Present simple and present continuous: aspect, stative and dynamic meaning, temporary behaviour, repeated behaviour, narrative present and stance

Advanced aim: At C1, present-form choice is about viewpoint, discourse effect and speaker stance as much as time reference.

Simple vs continuous viewpoint

Use the present simple to present a situation as a state, fact or complete/general pattern; use the present continuous to frame it as temporary, developing or in progress.

• Example: I work with the compliance team, but this month I'm working with the product division.
• In another context: Alternative case study: I work with the compliance team, but this month I'm working with the product division.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Think: state vs activity

Think is normally simple when it means 'hold an opinion' and continuous when it means 'consider'.

• Example: I think the revised plan is viable, but I'm thinking about changing the launch date.
• In another context: I think the revised plan is viable, but I'm thinking about changing the service launch date.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Have: possession vs experience

Have is normally simple for possession, but continuous is available in dynamic meanings such as experience, eat, hold or take part in.

• Example: The group has two regional offices, and we're having difficulty recruiting for the third.
• In another context: Separate scenario: The group has two regional offices, and we're having difficulty recruiting for the third.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

See: state vs arranged activity

See is simple for perception/understanding and can be continuous for arranged meetings or an ongoing relationship/activity.

• Example: I see your point, and I'm seeing the external adviser again on Thursday.
• In another context: Follow-up case: I see your point, and I'm seeing the external adviser again on Thursday.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Be vs being

Be + being presents temporary, observable behaviour; the simple form more readily presents a characteristic or state.

• Example: She's usually diplomatic, but she's being unusually blunt in today's negotiations.
• In another context: Alternative case study: She's usually diplomatic, but she's being unusually blunt in today's negotiations.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Always + continuous for attitude

Always, constantly and forever with the continuous can add irritation, surprise, admiration or another speaker attitude to repeated behaviour.

• Example: Our vendor is constantly changing the delivery dates without warning.
• In another context: Regional example: Our vendor is constantly changing the delivery dates without warning.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Developing trends

The present continuous is common for changing, developing or temporary trends rather than stable general facts.

• Example: More mid-sized firms are adopting four-day working trials this year.
• In another context: Separate scenario: More mid-sized firms are adopting four-day working trials this year.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Tentative stance

Continuous forms such as I'm wondering and I'm hoping can make requests and proposals sound tentative, temporary and less imposing.

• Example: I'm wondering whether we could revisit the staffing assumptions before Friday.
• In another context: I'm wondering whether we could revisit the staffing assumptions before Thursday.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Performative present

With performative verbs such as promise, apologise, recommend and admit, the present simple can perform the speech act as it is uttered.

• Example: I apologise for the confusion and recommend that we issue a corrected notice.
• In another context: Alternative case study: I apologise for the confusion and recommend that we issue a corrected notice.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Narrative and commentary present

The present simple can make past, fictional or commentated events feel immediate in plot summaries, anecdotes and live commentary.

• Example: In the final scene, the investigator opens the archive and discovers the missing correspondence.
• In another context: Regional example: In the final scene, the investigator opens the archive and discovers the missing correspondence.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.