stative verbs + progressive

[hela]

Dear teachers,

Are the following sentences correct ? If yes, in which circumstances can they be used ?

1)"I am thinking of visiting New York next year." does it mean that I have not decided for sure yet?



2)"I am thinking his name was bill" (possible ? If yes, what does it mean?)

3)"I am wishing I had stayed home."


4) “I am hoping to take my exam soon.”



5)“I was hoping (that) there would be a few tickets left for the jazz concert.”


Do you have some better examples where we can combine stative verbs and progressive aspect?

Thank you very much for your help.

Hela

[RonBee]

1)"I am thinking of visiting New York next year."

You are considering going there, but you haven't decided for sure yet.

2)"I am thinking his name was bill"

You think his name was Bill, but you are not sure.

3)"I am wishing I had stayed home."

You have gone somewhere, and you regret going there. You wish you hadn't left home.

4) “I am hoping to take my exam soon.”

It is your wish to take your exam soon (without much delay).

5)“I was hoping (that) there would be a few tickets left for the jazz concert.”

You are expressing disappointment that there are no tickets left for the concert.

[hela]

Thank you RonBee for your answer.

Is sentence #2 "I am thinking his name was bill" is common in English ? Do people say it ?

Thanks again,
Hela

[Tdol]

It's not a very likely sentence in BrE, though some South-Asian speakers might use it.

[hela]

Thanks Tdol for your answer.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by hela

Thank you RonBee for your answer.

Is sentence #2 "I am thinking his name was bill" is common in English ? Do people say it ?

Thanks again,
Hela

Well, the 'was' is definitely out, but as for "I'm thinking + clause, well, I'm not sure if it's considered Standard or not these days, but "I'm thinking (we should do this and that)" is used in North America, and in BrE according to Helen Fielding, the author of Bridget Jones, wherein Jones' boss, a TV show producer, is forever going on about, e.g., "I'm thinking [George Michael at Bath] and I'm thinking [Queen meets Madonna] to express his thoughts on what they, the TV show, should air next as a story.

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by hela

Is sentence #2 "I am thinking his name was bill" is common in English ? Do people say it ?

Well, "I think his name was Bill" is more likely. And, especially if you are referring to somebody you have seen recently, "I think his name is Bill" is better. However, that construction certainly is possible.

[hela]

Thank you all for your care.

Best wishes,
Hela