Page 486 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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present tenses (6): advanced points repeated actions: simple or progressive?
The present progressive can refer to repeated actions and events, if these are happening around the moment of speaking.
Why is he hitting the dog?
Jake's seeing a lot o f Felicity these days.
But we do not use the present progressive for repeated actions and events which are not closely connected to the moment of speaking.
I go to the mountains about twice a year. (NOT I'm gBing tB the mBttnfains abBttt tlHiee a year.)
Water boils at 100' Celsius. (NOT Water is boiling at 100" Celsius.) long-lasting changes
We use the present progressive for changes and developments, even if these are very long-lasting.
The climate is getting warmer. (NOT The climate gets warmer.) The universe is expanding, and has been since its beginning.
You look lovely when you're smiling
We use the simple present for regular or repeated actions and events; but we can use the present progressive for things that are going on around these actions and events.
At seven, when the post comes, I'm usually having breakfast. She doesn't like to be disturbed ifshe's working.
You look lovely when you're smiling.
Ipromise...etc
Sometimes we do things by saying special words (e.g. promising, agreeing). We usually use the simple present in these cases.
I promise never to smoke again. (NOT I'm pl'Bmising ...) I swear that I will tell the truth ...
I agree. (NOT : am agreeillg.)
He denies the accusation. (NOT ,ri'e is denying . ..)
I hear etc
The simple present is used with a perfect or past meaning in introductory expressions like I hear, I see, I gather, I understand (see 243).
I hear you're getting married. (= I have heard ...) I see there's been trouble down at the factory.
I gather Peter's looking for a job.
Quotations are often introduced with says.
No doubt you all remember what Hamlet says about suicide. It says in the paper that petrol's going up again.
Here comes ... etc
Note the structures here comes . .. and there goes . .. . Here C011U!S your husband. (NOT Here is ooming . ..) There goes our bus - we'll have to wait for the next one.
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