Quote:
Originally Posted by MrPedantic  Verbs such as "think", "expect", and "believe", on the other hand, have retained a stronger sense of "presentness", in the simple present tense. If you say:
2. I think you're right.
you mean "at this moment, it is my opinion that you are right". |
Excellent summary, Mr P.
If I might add a few comments. Please feel free to critique. Anyone, anyone at all.
I think that the verbs like "think", "expect", and "believe", what we call stative verbs, act the way they do, ie. use the present simple form because once we get to that stage of thinking or believing or understanding or any "stative-verbnessing", it has become part of our routine, our common habit.
Certain stative type verbs used in a progressive manner [ing], often seem, IMHO, more tentative in nature.
There are other areas of English that work in the same manner. As soon as something becomes scheduled, it seems to form part of our "routine".
So,
I'm going to London tomorrow and then I'm leaving London for Madrid on Tuesday. = [as far as potential usage goes] I go to London tomorrow and then I leave London for Madrid on Tuesday.
There is another yet use that I believe illustrates this same distinction. I noticed it once, some years ago, operating in an internet cartoon. If I had the cartoon, it would go some ways towards helping me explain what it is I want to explain. I think I'll hold off for a bit and try to locate it.
Ciao.