I was taught that we don't use certain verbs with the -ing ending... and yet, I've come across "I'm hoping" or "I've been hoping" for a number of times/any of times... (btw. which one of these two means "quite often" ?)
So, what's the difference between "I hope..." and "I'm hoping..." Could you provide me with any examples and a good explanation?
Was "hope" one of the verbs you were told couldn't be used with -ing?
If so, you were told wrong. If not, your opening sentence is unremarkable.
This verb is a bit different from most verbs, so the distinction between the simple present and the present continuous is a bit more difficult.
"I hope" is used to express a hope that you have generally.
"I'm hoping" suggests that you are hoping it right now, or continually.
I hope it snows this Christmas. I'm hoping this pain is going to disappear soon. In fact, these two could be interchangeable.
I hope you had a good time;
usually not I'm hoping you had a good time.
I was hoping you wouldn't ask that; usually not I hoped you wouldn't ask that.
But often they can be used interchangeably, and I don't want to give you the impression that there are any rules in this post.
"quite often": I think you mean "any number of times".