We are tasting wine

[Rachel Adams]

Hello.

This example is from the book ''Longman Advanced Learne's Grammar.'' It says ''tasting'' is correct. So ''taste'' ''smell'' and ''prefer'' can be used in the continuous sometimes? I used ''we taste'' before checking the book's answers.

''Would you like to try these champagnes? We are tasting them to write a review for the wine club newsletter.''

 

[Rachel Adams]

If I am not wrong, ''taste'' ''like'' and ''prefer'' can be used in the continuous when they suggest a change.

 

[Yankee]

If I am not wrong, ''taste'' ''like'' and ''prefer'' can be used in the continuous when they suggest a change.

Stative verbs including "like"and "prefer" cannot be used in continuous form. Google "stative verbs".

 

[Rachel Adams]

Stative verbs including "like"and "prefer" cannot be used in continuous form. Google "stative verbs".

I don't remember which book I was using it said you could use these verbs in the continuous if you are talking about changes that are happening. ''The wine is tasting bitter=staring to taste bitter''. ''I am prefering green tea'' as in ''I am starting to prefer green tea'' and ''I am liking her more'' as in ''I am staring to like her more''.

 

[Yankee]

I don't remember which book I was using it said you could use these verbs in the continuous if you are talking about changes that are happening. ''The wine is tasting bitter=staring to taste bitter''. ''I am prefering green tea'' as in ''I am starting to prefer green tea'' and ''I am liking her more'' as in ''I am staring to like her more''.

I'm sure you will find exceptions due to popular usage, but "prefer" and "like" are stative verbs. Why not, "The wine tastes bitter" and "I like her more"? "Starting to prefer and "starting to like" are OK.

 

[emsr2d2]

"I'm liking this wine more the more I drink of it" is OK.

I can't think of a reasonable context for "preferring" (except at the beginning of a sentence such as "Preferring chocolate to broccoli is perfectly normal".)

 

[Yankee]

In addition to the change in home size, popular rooms have also changed. Just as modern architects did away with parlors and mud rooms, floor plans are reflecting a changing focus in the way we live. A growing number of buyers are preferring open and flexible floor plans.

https://thecameronteam.net/how-homes-have-changed-over-the-past-60-years/

As mentioned previously, there will be exceptions in usage, but why not, "A growing number prefer...…"?

 

[jutfrank]

why not, "A growing number prefer...…"?

Because that would not express the progressive aspect, i.e., a focus on what is presented at the moment of speaking as a (temporary) trend in preference .

 

[Rachel Adams]

Because that would not express the progressive aspect, i.e., a focus on what is presented at the moment of speaking as a (temporary) trend in preference .

No one said anything about ''the wine is tasting bitter and bitter.''

 

[jutfrank]

No one said anything about ''the wine is tasting bitter and bitter.''

Where does that sentence come from? It's not correct.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Where does that sentence come from? It's not correct.

I don't remember which book I was using but there was a similar example about the wine changingits taste.

 

[emsr2d2]

It's a terrible (grammatically incorrect) example.

This wine is tasting more and more bitter.

 

[GoesStation]

No one said anything about ''the wine is tasting better and better.''

Is that what you meant?

 

[Rachel Adams]

Is that what you meant?

It was not my example. I cannot find it but I remember there was the progressive in that sentence. I made a mistake and wrote bitter and bitter instead of more and more bitter, thanks for correcting me, emsr2d2 and GoesStation. As I see the verb ''taste'' can be used in the progressive to express a change.

 

[Yankee]

Because that would not express the progressive aspect, i.e., a focus on what is presented at the moment of speaking as a (temporary) trend in preference .

Why is "a growing number" not a "progressive aspect"?

 

[jutfrank]

Why is "a growing number" not a "progressive aspect"?

By 'progressive aspect' I mean that which is expressed by progressive verb tenses (present/past progressive, etc.). It's a technical term. Another way to say 'progressive' is 'continuous'.

The difference between People prefer and People are preferring is that the former shows no aspect (present simple) and the latter shows progressive aspect (present progressive). That means that the two forms have different meanings/uses.

 

[Yankee]

By 'progressive aspect' I mean that which is expressed by progressive verb tenses (present/past progressive, etc.). It's a technical term. Another way to say 'progressive' is 'continuous'.

The difference between People prefer and People are preferring is that the former shows no aspect (present simple) and the latter shows progressive aspect (present progressive). That means that the two forms have different meanings/uses.

I think "a growing number" suggests a continuous action and while not a verb form nor meeting the grammatical definition of a "progressive aspect", I would use "prefer" and believe it qualifies as an exception to the rule. :shock:

 

[jutfrank]

I think "a growing number" suggests a continuous action

This phrase suggests there's a trend happening.

and while not a verb form nor meeting the grammatical definition of a "progressive aspect",

Right. It is not the noun phrase A growing number that shows aspect, but the verb group, i.e., the 'are preferring' part.

I would use "prefer"

Okay, but that would not have exactly the same effect, since it would lack progressive aspect.

and believe it qualifies as an exception to the rule. :shock:

I'm not sure what you mean here. There's no rule that says you can't use 'prefer'.

One of the uses of the present continuous is to suggest that there is a trend taking place. This is why 'are preferring' is an ideal form to use in this context.

 

[Yankee]

Because that would not express the progressive aspect, i.e., a focus on what is presented at the moment of speaking as a (temporary) trend in preference .

While not itself a verb and technically not meeting attributes of the "progressive aspect", "growing number" does suggest an ongoing/continuing activity and therefore could/would be understood as such.

 

[jutfrank]

While not itself a verb and technically not meeting attributes of the "progressive aspect", "growing number" does suggest an ongoing/continuing activity and therefore could/would be understood as such.

Yes, I agree, but also using are preferring instead of prefer compounds the sense of temporary ongoing activity. In other words, it's more effective.