Using the present simple and continuous

Using the present continuous

page 8 of 9

With verbs representing desires and needs

Verbs representing desires and needs,eg need, want, hope, wish, do not typically occur with the present continuous. However, this choice of tense is possible:

I'm hoping you will have some answers for me. (Bank of English)

Here, the present continuous is more tentative than the present simple, and therefore more polite.

For further information about using verbs related to desires and needs in the present continuous, see Representing thinking, perceiving, liking and desiring: Using verb patterns to represent desires and needs (p 12).

Introduction
Actions or events in progress
Repeated actions
Planned actions
With verbs representing thinking
With verbs representing perception
With verbs representing likes and dislikes
With verbs representing desires and needs
With verbs representing being and having