[Grammar] Scooter riders wearing masks wait on a congested off-ramp from Taipei Bridge

[kadioguy]

[In a news photo]

As you can see, the present simple rather than the present progressive is used. I'm wondering why.

a. Scooter riders wearing masks wait on a congested off-ramp from Taipei Bridge ....

b. Scooter riders wearing masks are waiting on a congested off-ramp from Taipei Bridge ....

Are (a) and (b) both OK as a description of the photo?

A friend told me, "It's common in image descriptions like this to use simple present 'wait' over the present continuous 'are waiting'. You can't use 'are waiting' as it would mean they're waiting right now, even though the event is likely already over. It doesn't work in the context."

A member in another forum told me, "This is a caption under a photo. Captions should be concise, hence the use of the present simple." I replied, "Can we use the present progressive if there's enough room for the caption?" Then I didn't receive replies about that.

I appreciate their help; however, I would also like to hear your opinions.

 

[tedmc]

I find the use of the simple present tense (wait) with "yesterday's morning rush" strange. I think the continuous tense would be better for captions.
I thought the narrative present is recommended only for news headlines, not the report proper.

 

[kadioguy]

I find the use of the simple present tense (wait) with "yesterday's morning rush" strange. I think the continuous tense would be better for captions.
I thought the narrative present is recommended only for news headlines, not the report proper.

But this kind of use seems usual. :-?

Another example:

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2021/07/21/2003761203

 

[tedmc]

This article on writing captions may be of interest to you.
https://www.englishforums.com/English/TensesForCaption/bllhjq/post.htm

Captions don't have to be complete sentences.

I think writing captions is not the same as writing a news report or headline.

P.S. A caption is meant to capture a particular moment of something happening. It is like you showing your photo and telling someone about an event. So, what tense is most appropriate?

 

[kadioguy]

This article on writing captions may be of interest to you.
https://www.englishforums.com/English/TensesForCaption/bllhjq/post.htm

Captions don't have to be complete sentences.

I think writing captions is not the same as writing a news report or headline.

According to the thread, the following seems both OK:

1. Scooter riders wearing masks wait on a congested off-ramp from Taipei Bridge.

2. Scooter riders wearing masks (are) waiting on a congested off-ramp from Taipei Bridge.

Could any native speakers join us?

 

[tedmc]

The thread did not say the first is okay.

 

[GoesStation]

The present simple is the only natural tense for the caption, which tells us what was occurring at the moment the picture was taken.

 

[kadioguy]

The thread did not say the first is okay.

A member called man del (at the bottom of the thread) used the present simple to describe that. :-?

[The post was cross-posted with GoesStation]

 

[kadioguy]

The present simple is the only natural tense for the caption, which tells us what was occurring at the moment the picture was taken.

If you don't mind, could you please tell me why the present progressive can't do the same thing?

 

[tedmc]

The present simple is the only natural tense for the caption, which tells us what was occurring at the moment the picture was taken.

You said it - what was occurring. What use the present simple and not the continuous?

 

[5jj]

I think writing captions is not the same as writing a news report or headline.

In a way it is like a title or headline.

 

[Rover_KE]

The present simple is the only natural tense for the caption, which tells us what was occurring at the moment the picture was taken.

That bears repeating.

Students of English have to get used to it.

 

[GoesStation]

If you don't mind, could you please tell me why the present progressive can't do the same thing?

It would tell the reader that the activity was ongoing at the time they were reading about it.

 

[kadioguy]

If you have time, could you please help with the question from the thread?

If I had a photo which showed that Lady Gaga was performing in Super Bowl Halftime Show 2017.

Which caption below is OK?

A. Lady Gaga performing in Super Bowl Halftime Show 2017. Looks like she was having a great time.

B. Lady Gaga performs in Super Bowl Halftime Show 2017. Looks like she was having a great time.

Would you use (B)? What about (A)?

 

[5jj]

Both are OK. The -ing form in A is not progressive aspect. It is the -ing form used adjectivally.

 

[kadioguy]

Both are OK. The -ing form in A is not progressive aspect. It is the -ing form used adjectivally.

Should there be a determiner before "progressive aspect"? (I.e., it is countable here.)

 

[kadioguy]

Both are OK. The -ing form in A is not progressive aspect. It is the -ing form used adjectivally.

Should there be a determiner before "progressive aspect"? (I.e., it is countable here.)

If you don't mind, please see below: (I think that it's more like the countable one in 5jj's case. What do you think?)

aspect
noun
grammar : the characteristic of a verb that expresses the way an action happens

[count]
The aspect of “sit” in “please sit down now” is different from the aspect of “sitting” in “I was sitting at my desk.”

[noncount]
two verb forms differing in aspect

https://learnersdictionary.com/definition/aspect
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(Updated)

A friend told me, "you could say 'the' progressive aspect, yes. But many times when explaining linguistics (or other technical things) people talk in shorthand and omit these words."