Anonymous“Would you please cite an example or two of how the present progressive tense might be misused?
They are travelling through Italy at the moment.
The river is flowing very fast after last night's rain.
Poeple are becoming less tolerant of smoking.
”
These are all proper uses of the present progressive. Misuse can be illustrated by using non-progressive verbs inappropriately in progressive tenses, thus:
*By definition, people who are being rich are having a lot of money.
*This bottle is being quite large. *It is containing a whole week's supply of milk.
*Take several if you are wanting more.
Some proverbs sound pretty ridiculous with the progressive tense as well.
*A stitch in time is saving nine.
*A rolling stone is gathering no moss.
*A penny saved is being a penny earned.
CJ