any difference ?

[forum_mail]

Hi all,

1. Here is a sentence taken from the Total Guitar magazine :

"As always we're assuming no previous knowlegde..."

Why the writer used "assuming" instead of "assume" ? Is there any difference in meaning ?

2. Which use of "watch" is correct ? (maybe both ?)

a) I watched Ann performing on stage.

b) I watched Ann perform on stage.

Is there ANY difference in meaning between these two ?

3. The same thing but in the present tenses... so again which one is okey, and why ? Is there any difference in meaning ?

a) I'm watching Ann performing on stage.

b) I watch Ann performing on stage.

c) I'm watching Ann perform on stage.

Thanks, best wishes,

[Tdol]

1- No real difference, but the use of 'assuming' suggests that they might change their policy, though as they say 'as always', it sounds unlikely.
2- 'perform' suggests that you saw erveything, while 'performing' might indicate you saw part
3- b) suggests that you do this regularly- her staff could use this one as the accompany her on tour. a) & c) are pretty much the same as they are both now, so no real difference to me.