Talk:Present tense

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explain present tense in detail

This page is totally inconsistant about when it does and doesn't tell you when the simple present is used progressively all the time (as in French, Portuguese, Italian, and German), and when you need to make a compound construction using one of the few verbs that are progressive in the simple present as in English and Spanish. This detail is covered nicely in the English section. It is mentioned in the Portuguese section. The Spanish section is totally misleading, and contrasting its format to the english one, it would be hard to work out that the systems are nearly identical.

[edit] Developing preference for the present continuous rather than the present simple in British English

There has been a growing tendency in the last few years to use the present continuous when at one time, the present simple would have been used. It is particulalry common (and noticeable)with the verbs to love and to like.

An example would be "I am liking your new coat" rather than "I like your new coat"

Does anyone know what has lead to this development?

Is it solely due to the MacDonalds' "I'm loving it" motto?

Informed Owl (talk) 16:38, 23 November 2007 (UTC)Informed Owl

I agree that we hear the present continuous in supposed 'state verbs' more often now. Just as a suggestion, maybe it's because 'non-standard' dialects are becoming more acceptable? In the Scottish Highlands, this use has been around for a very long time - e.g. my 93 year-old grandfather says 'I'm not hearing you' - maybe this tendancy has become more mainstream? Seonaidbeckwith 10:40, 4 January 2008 (UTC)

Interesting. Thank you. Does anyone have any other examples of this usage in the Scottish Highlands? My partner is from NE Scotland and I have never heard any family member use it. If it it be widespread in the Highlands, it would be interesting to know whether it is more common among certain age groups. You say your grandfather uses it. Has it always been common among younger Highlanders or has the usage increased in recent years as it has 'down south'?

If it be the case that the usage stems from the Highlands, it would be interesting to know how it has come to be more widespread throughout other parts of the UK. Had it been influenced by American English, it would be quite possible that TV / the internet caused its growth. If it comes from within the UK though, what do you suppose caused it to move around it. Informed Owl (talk) 23:21, 4 January 2008 (UTC)Informed Owl