why the pres. cont. ?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Howdy folks,

If you could have a look at the following pairs of sentences:

1. I like relaxing when I have / I’m having some free time (sounds weird)
2. I like to relax when I have / I’m having some free time

3. When I drive a car I like smoking a cigarette.
4. When I’m driving a car I like to smoke a cigarette.

In case of the last two sentences I often hear people use the present continuous in when clauses and I’m not sure why. I mean, don’t we use the present simple if we want to convey the regularity of doing something or a habit? Like: every time I’m in a car, driving it I tend to smoke and I enjoy it?

Another example:

5. When I’m using English I often confuse / I’m often confusing tenses.
6. When I use English I often confuse / I’m often confusing tenses.

I know it’s a lot of question but this stuff drives (or is driving?!) me crazy!

Cheers

2

Hi,

Let me make the following points:

  1. As you say, the present simple form often suggests regularity and the present continuous often suggests actuality.

  2. Certain verbs have a ‘built in actuality’ and so ‘I am having’ is really a non starter because ‘have’ on its own indicates continuity.

  3. Using the continuous form with adverbs such as ‘often’ ‘always’ might sound a contradiction but when you do this, you are highlighting both the frequency and the actualty of the tense as in: I am always making that mistake.

  4. Using ‘when’ with the continuous form is perfectly acceptable as it introduces what is happening.

Alan

3

Thank you Alan for your explenations. Yet, I’m still not sure which of my sentences are correct and sound 100% English…