Page 487 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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I feel/I'm feeling
Verbs that refer to physical feelings (e.g. feel, hurt, ache) can often be used in simple or progressive tenses without much difference of meaning.
How do you feel? OR How are you feeling? My head aches. 0 R My head is aching.
formal correspondence
Some fixed phrases that are used in letter-writing can be expressed either in the simple present (more formal) or in the present progressive (less formal).
We write to advise you . .. (Less formal: We are writing to let you know . ..) I enclose my cheque for £200. (Less formal: I am enclosing . ..)
I look forward to hearing from you. (Less formal: I'm looking forward to
hearing .. .)
For progressive forms with always and similar words (e.g. She's always losing her keys), see 472. For progressive forms in general, see 470.
For the 'distancing' use of progressive forms, see 436.
For simple and progressive forms in older English, see 392.
presently
When presently means 'now, at present', it usually comes in mid-position with the verb (see 24).
Professor Holloway is presently working on plant diseases.
The Manager is presently on holiday, but he will contact you on his return. An older meaning of presently (becoming less common) is 'not now, later', 'in
a minute'.
With this meaning, presently usually comes in end-position, or separately as a short answer.
He's having a rest now. He'll be down presently. Mummy, can I have an ice-cream?-Presently, dear.
price and prize
The price is what you pay if you buy something. A prize is what you are given if you have done something exceptional, or if you win a competition.
What's the price ofthe green dress? (NaT . . . Ehe p"~ fJ/megt'eefl Mess?) She received the Nobel prize for physics. (NOT ••• die ,"fflhel priee ...)
principal and principle
These two words have the same pronunciation. The adjective principal means 'main', 'most important'.
What's your principal reason for wanting to be a doctor? (NOT ••• }'fJttr principle t'eI.'lSfJn ...)
The noun principal means 'headmaster' or 'headmistress' (especially, in Britain, of a school for adults).
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Ifyou want to leave early you'll have to ask the PrincipaL
•
principal and principle 469
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