appear/appearing

[Kotfor]

"How do I find out what time somebody is appearing in court?"

Would this sentence mean the same if "is appearing" were switched to "appears"?

[Tdol]

Yes

[Kotfor]

Yes

Thank you. Can there be a context when one would be more preferable than the other?

[Kotfor]

I think that in thess contexts every form has its own meaning and can't be switched with the other one.

1) He appears gloomy this morning. (He is appearing gloomy this morning. - WRONG)
2) He is appearing in a play this evening. (He appears in a play this evening. - WRONG)

Now I wonder why in the example with court both forms are OK.

[Tdol]

2) He is appearing in a play this evening. (He appears in a play this evening. - WRONG)

The simple form is not wrong here.

[Kotfor]

The simple form is not wrong here.

OK. If both are correct, is there a difference between them:

1) He is appearing in a play this evening.
2) He appears in a play this evening.

[bhaisahab]

OK. If both are correct, is there a difference between them:

1) He is appearing in a play this evening.
2) He appears in a play this evening.

There is no difference in meaning.