Striking difference between simple present and present continuous

Today’s English
June 12th, 2017

As a purist we need not be too conscious of grammar while dressing our thoughts and feelings in English but at the same time we should make it sure that we speak grammatically flawless English, not funny butler English or disgusting molested English. The discussion to proceed here is in terms of difference in meaning, not of grammatical structure such as he comes and he is coming.

1.Present continuous is more descriptive than simple present and very effective to pass running commentaries on matches or compereing especially during the performance of somebody,  Compare the following two:

A.Watch him carefully. Now he is standing at the door. He is trying to open it with a duplicate key. He is entering the house. He is straight away moving to the bedroom. Now he is searching for the valuables in the Almira…

B.Watch him carefully. Now he stands at the door. He tries to open it with a duplicate key. He enters the house. He moves to the bedroom. He searches for the valuables in the Almira.

2.Present continuous shows personal interest whereas simple present is impersonal in nature and just reports the fact as something is fixed.

A.I’m coming to your house tomorrow. You can’t escape from giving treat.
I come to your house tomorrow.

B.Incorrect: We plan for a tour next month.
Correct: We are planning for a tour next month.

3.Simple present – happenings of all day (fixed habits and routines), present continuous -happenings only at the time of speaking

A.Incorrect: I’m usually going to gym in the morning.
Correct: I usually go to gym in the morning. (Routine one)

B.Incorrect: He plays tennis. Please call him after sometime.
Correct: sorry sir, he is playing tennis now. Please call him after sometime. (At the time of speaking)

4.Adverbs of frequency ( always, often, rarely, seldom, frequently, never) are used with simple present, not with present continuous.

A.Incorrect: She is always coming late.
Correct: She always comes late.

B.Incorrect: I’m often visiting the central library.
Correct: I often visit the central library.

C.Incorrect: They are never telecasting such programmes.
They never telecast such programmes.

5.Time expressions (At present, now, nowadays, these days, today, this morning, this evening) are used with present continuous, not with simple present)

A.Incorrect: At present, he works in Chennai.
Correct: At present, he is working in Chennai.

B.Incorrect: Nowadays we spend much time with Facebook, whatsapp and TV rather than with fellow beings.
Correct: Nowadays we are spending much time with Facebook, WhatsApp and TV rather than with fellow beings.

C.Incorrect: I’m going to a function this evening.
Correct: I go to a function this evening.

“A man's grammar, like Caesar's wife, should not only be pure, but above suspicion of impurity.”
-Edgar Allan Poe