progressive + verbs of position

[hela]

Dear teachers,

It is true that when we use a verb of position such as "stay / remain" with the present progressive it does not expresses a definite arrangement but rather an intention / plan WITHOUT a definite arrangement ? Example:

He is staying in London for a couple of days = He is going to stay in London...
i.e. he plans to do so but has not arranged it yet?

Thanks for the help,
Hela

[mykwyner]

In English we usually express the subjunctive mood by using one of the modal auxillary verbs can, may, will and shall in their past tenses could, might, would and should.

He should be staying... Most likely
He could be staying...less likely but very possible
He might be staying...even less likely but still possibel
He would be staying...this is really conditional "He would be if..."

Without one of these auxillary verbs the sentence will be interpreted as a definite arrangement.

[hela]

Thank you for the explanation.

All the best,
Hela