AEE - Feeling Anxious About English Grammar? Never Fear!
Summary
TLDRIn this episode, hosts Aubrey and Lindsay discuss how certain state verbs, like 'be,' 'feel,' 'smell,' and others, can be used in both present simple and present progressive forms. They break the myth taught in textbooks that state verbs can't have an '-ing' form. The hosts also explore how modern language trends, especially in conversational English, allow these verbs to express actions in the moment. Through examples and a fun role play, they guide listeners on using these verbs for deeper connections in English.
Takeaways
- 😀 Using stative verbs in the present progressive form (like 'feeling' or 'being') is common in conversational English, despite traditional grammar rules.
- 🧘 The episode focuses on feelings and perceptions, showing that verbs like 'be', 'feel', 'smell', 'taste', and 'see' can be used both in present simple and present progressive forms.
- 🌿 The verb 'be' is used to describe temporary states in the progressive form, like 'he is being quiet', indicating something specific happening right now.
- 🤔 'Feel' can be used both ways, e.g., 'I feel sick' or 'I'm feeling sick', with progressive use emphasizing the present moment.
- 👃 Verbs related to senses, such as 'smell', 'taste', and 'see', can also take the progressive form when describing temporary or immediate experiences.
- 💭 Some stative verbs, like 'seem' and 'appear', should not be used in the progressive form. For example, 'She appears to be reasonable' is correct, but 'She is appearing to be reasonable' is not.
- 🎭 The word 'appear' can be tricky as it has both stative and action verb meanings, depending on context. 'She is appearing at the concert' is correct in an action sense, but not when it means 'seems'.
- 🍽️ The role play about a dining-in-the-dark experience demonstrates the use of stative verbs in a conversational context, especially around taste and feelings.
- 📝 The episode emphasizes that while textbooks often teach strict grammar rules, conversational English allows for more flexibility, especially in the use of progressive forms with stative verbs.
- 🎙️ The hosts encourage listeners not to stress over the rules but to focus on connection and communication, especially in spoken English, where using stative verbs in progressive forms is common.
Q & A
What is Aubrey anxious about in the beginning of the script?
-Aubrey is anxious about going on a vacation to Sedona with her friends. She is more of an active vacationer who likes to do activities, while her friends prefer relaxing by the pool, making her concerned about how she will adapt.
What misconception about stative verbs does the episode aim to clarify?
-The episode aims to clarify the misconception that stative verbs cannot be used in the present progressive form (e.g., 'I'm loving this'). While textbooks often teach that stative verbs should not be in the -ing form, the episode shows that, in modern conversational English, this rule is often broken.
What are stative verbs and why are they considered tricky in English grammar?
-Stative verbs describe a state rather than an action, such as 'like', 'love', 'feel', and 'see'. They are tricky because textbooks traditionally teach that they should not be used in the present progressive (-ing) form, but in everyday speech, native speakers often break this rule.
What is an example of a stative verb that can be used both in present simple and present progressive forms?
-The verb 'be' is a stative verb that can be used in both present simple and present progressive forms. For example, 'He is quiet' (present simple) and 'He is being quiet' (present progressive).
What are some examples of verbs related to the senses that can be used in both present simple and present progressive forms?
-Examples include 'smell' and 'taste'. For instance, 'It smells good' (present simple) and 'I'm smelling saffron' (present progressive), or 'It tastes good' and 'I'm tasting these desserts'.
What is a key difference in meaning when using the present simple vs. present progressive form of a stative verb?
-The present simple form often refers to a general or habitual state, while the present progressive emphasizes a temporary or current action. For example, 'I feel sick' suggests a general condition, while 'I'm feeling sick' refers to a temporary feeling at the moment.
What verb is highlighted as an example of one that cannot be used in the present progressive form?
-The verb 'seem' is highlighted as one that cannot be used in the present progressive. You would say 'This seems strange', not 'This is seeming strange'.
How does the verb 'appear' differ in meaning when used in a state vs. an action sense?
-'Appear' can be a stative verb meaning 'seem', as in 'She appears to be reasonable'. However, in an action sense, 'appear' can mean to physically show up, as in 'Pink is appearing at Madison Square Garden'.
What is the suggested 'pro tip' for knowing when 'appear' is being used as a stative or action verb?
-The 'pro tip' is to see if you can replace 'appear' with 'seem' in the sentence. If it works, it's a stative verb (e.g., 'She appears to be reasonable' = 'She seems to be reasonable'). If it doesn’t work, it’s likely being used as an action verb.
What is the key takeaway from the episode regarding stative verbs in conversational English?
-The key takeaway is that while textbooks may teach strict rules about stative verbs, native speakers often use these verbs in the present progressive form in casual conversation. This reflects the evolving nature of language, and learners shouldn't stress too much about these rules when aiming for fluent and natural speech.
Outlines
😅 Balancing Different Vacation Styles
The conversation begins with Lindsay asking Aubrey if she feels anxious about anything. Aubrey shares her nervousness about an upcoming trip to Sedona with friends who prefer relaxing by the pool, while she is more of an active vacationer. They discuss how she might find a balance between relaxation and activity, and Lindsay wishes her luck.
🤔 Exploring Stative Verbs in English
Lindsay and Aubrey discuss how the stative verb 'feel' is used both in the present tense and present progressive forms in everyday English. Lindsay highlights that while textbooks might discourage using stative verbs in the progressive form, native speakers often use them. They reference previous episodes covering other stative verbs, like 'like' and 'love', and emphasize that modern English usage sometimes breaks traditional rules.
🌱 Stative Verbs: Feelings and Perceptions
The episode moves to the third category of stative verbs—feelings and perceptions. Aubrey provides examples like 'being quiet' and 'feeling anxious,' showing how verbs like 'be' and 'feel' are commonly used in both simple and progressive forms. They touch on sensory verbs like 'smell,' 'taste,' and 'hear,' explaining that these can also function in both forms depending on context.
🚫 Stative Verbs That Cannot Be Progressive
The discussion turns to verbs like 'seem' and 'appear,' which typically cannot be used in the progressive form. Aubrey and Lindsay explain why these stative verbs differ from others and provide clear examples to help listeners understand. They offer a pro tip on how to differentiate between the two meanings of 'appear,' which can function as both a stative and an action verb depending on context.
🍽️ Role Play: Dining in the Dark
In a fun role play, Aubrey and Lindsay imagine themselves at a 'dining in the dark' restaurant, unsure of what they're tasting. Through the dialogue, they demonstrate the use of stative verbs like 'taste' and 'feel' in both simple and progressive forms. The role play highlights how subtle the differences can be and how to use both forms naturally.
📖 Breaking Stative Verb Rules in Modern English
The episode wraps up with a reflection on how textbooks may teach that stative verbs should not be used in progressive forms, but this rule has become outdated in modern, conversational English. They encourage listeners not to stress about these rules, pointing out that language evolves and conversational English often breaks traditional grammar rules.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Stative Verbs
💡Present Progressive
💡Modern Language Trends
💡Perception Verbs
💡Temporary vs Permanent States
💡Feelings and Emotions
💡Language Evolution
💡Native Speaker Usage
💡Connection in Conversation
💡Role Play
Highlights
Discussion on anxiety and vacation preferences, highlighting the contrast between active and relaxed vacation styles.
Introduction to the concept of state verbs in English grammar, focusing on feelings and perceptions.
Explanation of how some state verbs can be used in both present tense and present progressive tense, challenging traditional grammar rules.
Examples given for state verbs that can be used in both tenses, such as 'be' and 'feel'.
Clarification on the use of 'feel' in present progressive tense to describe temporary states.
Discussion on the use of 'smell' and 'taste' as state verbs in both present tense and progressive tense.
Explanation of why some state verbs like 'seem' and 'appear' cannot be used in the progressive tense.
Pro tip on distinguishing between state verbs and action verbs with the same word, using 'appear' as an example.
Roleplay scenario in a dining in the dark restaurant to illustrate the use of state verbs in conversation.
Advice on not stressing over the use of state verbs in different tenses, emphasizing spoken English over written English.
Encouragement for learners to observe and try out the use of state verbs in conversation.
Acknowledgment that language evolves and textbooks may not always reflect current usage.
Suggestion to interview someone from Hollywood for an episode on classic Hollywood terms.
Final takeaway emphasizing the importance of not stressing over grammar and focusing on connection in language use.
Transcripts
hey Aubrey I have a question for you to start off today all right let's do it so is there anything
that you're feeling anxious about at this moment yeah a little bit I'm going to Sedona this weekend
and I am the type of vacation person that's like go go go do all the hikes do all the fun things
and I'm going with girlfriends that are like chill by the pool friends oh no so I have to really pull
myself back and I'm a little anxious that I it's going to be tough yeah that's right so you're not
the type to sit by the pool you want to go be active do something right like a little of that
would be okay but I can't do that all day for 3 days so we'll see how it goes hopefully I can talk
them into some fun activities well good luck let us know back on the show after your trip Sedona
sounds incredible uh we want to hear about it for sure so anxiousness right anxiety is something I
asked you about a few and you the grammar was interesting here CU you didn't say do you feel
anxious about anything right now you said is there anything you're feeling anxious about so listeners
you may have this might have triggered you like why this is a state of verb why is their present
progressive textbooks told me I can't do that but we do do it with some state of verbs yes we're
coming back to our arch nemesis right the state of verb and the confusion that we can have sometimes
around state of verbs but on allers English we're clearing it up for you guys showing new language
Trends you know rules that we're just breaking and it's okay and when it's not okay so this is
part three of a part of a three-part Series right Aubrey exactly you don't want to miss part one
which was stative verbs for emotions like like and love right I'm loving this right now that was 2220
like we're liking your grammar questions answered right and part two was where we talked about
thoughts and opinions that was episode 2223 are you thinking this is tricky English grammar right
exactly so our listen guys go find those episodes listen and then come back here make sure you are
following this podcast for more amazing series across the entire network all of allers English
right yes exactly so today we're diving into the third type of state of verb there are three which
this one is feelings and perceptions so we'll First share the state of verbs that can be both
present tense or present progressive with examples and then we're going to share those that cannot
that really need to just be used in present tense yeah and we're exposing the classic myth that
of our listeners learned in school which is that they'll tell you your teachers your textbooks your
classrooms will tell you sta of verbs are never used in the ing form but this is the proof that
they are actually sometimes used exactly at least in the states around the world I feel like this is
trending like you said Lindsay this is getting more common no one's going to bat an eye when
we use them this way and in fact it feels more native and natural and again as you listen today
if you get frustrated you get confused come back to connection right we're teaching this because
this is an opportunity if you use these ones in the more modern native way it's an opportunity
to connect so that's always what we're going for guys okay exactly so let's dive into the
first one under our bucket of can be used in both present simple and present progressive
which is be be verbs right he is being quiet right now and of course you could also say he
is quiet which or he is acting quiet but we use be in both yeah and it's different right when
we say he's being quiet it's really about this present moment exactly the same meaning would
be he is acting quiet but we also use be both in both verb tenses and sounds very natural to
me right often chunks that I'll use you're being weird I'll say this to my partner sometimes what's
going on you're being weird is there something wrong like what's happening totally you're being
quiet you're being silly you're being fun all of them very common okay and it's a state of verb
but hey look at this we break the rules feel is another one exactly I'm feeling anxious like you
asked at the top of the episode anything you're feeling anxious about or I feel sick could also
say I'm feeling sick this we use both ways for sure and like you said Lindsay as a reminder
definitely get a deeper Dive In Those first two episodes but it's all about if there's time right
these are temporary things we're feeling in the moment but maybe not always yeah interesting
okay so I'm feel so being able to articulate your feelings in the current moment super important
you know basically I'm feeling sick in this case I'm feeling sick versus I feel sick basically it
means the same thing right it's all about the time right is it something that seems very temporary
it's like okay I'm feeling sick maybe like morning sickness I would have been like I'm feeling sick
CU I know it's going to pass in a few minutes eat a piece of toast and I'll be fine but if
like I have covid I'd probably be like I feel sick but I feel like for this one I would say I could
say the same thing if I had morning sickness in this moment oh I feel sick it's morning sickness
versus oh I'm really feeling sick Aubrey I think I need to finish early right yeah so both work
for sure because it's with sickness it's always a temporary state right it's this more active like
let's hope you're not it's not a state that you'll be in forever right yes yes yes 100% And then the
next one is smell okay so tell us about this one Aubrey yeah so you might say I'm smelling hints
of saffron if you're like smelling a dish and this is very temporary I'm describing a smell
that I smell right now in this moment and then we also use smell as a state of verb in present tense
like do you smell that oh it smells good in here yes remember we're talking about perceptions and
this you know the senses are a way of perceiving the world taking it in and then the next sense is
taste right right say I'm tasting all of these if they're a bunch of desserts and you mean is I am
going to taste all of these but you're saying okay I'm tasting all of these yes I love it or you have
to T to at least taste it you have to try it okay that's I say to my kids all the time they're like
e this looks gross you have to at least taste it yeah I don't know what it is that kids get over
that fear of these unknown flavors right when they become now adult adults tend to be more willing to
try new things not in all cases but in some cases right yeah and this is interesting because it's
tricky with some of these where it's like is this state of is this a when we say like this tastes
good that's a state of verb right this is it's interesting these are tricky it's just good to
know like you can use verbing it's acceptable n natives do it you don't have to stress about it
even if your textbook told you you can't and what about just onetoone comparison this taste good
this is tasting good yeah same I feel like it's interesting you're kind of just talking about that
actual moment something's in your mouth tasting good right now but work absolutely yep and that's
where we see the trendiness of this role being broken right I I don't think in like the 50s they
said that it exactly do you know what I mean it's pulling people into that present moment it's just
language evolves right modern language we're doing it a lot just like people didn't say I'm loving
this chocolate cake in the 50s we do now right yes 100% then continuing with the senses hearing
right are you hearing that or do you hear that these mean the same thing right in this moment
are you hearing this and we would also just be like do you hear that and it's exactly the same
with C are you seeing this or did H do you see that yeah they mean the same basically the same
yeah yeah okay then we have our bucket of verbs that you know we can't break the rule we don't
add in what we don't use these in the present progressive so first is seem this seems strange
right and I think the reason you can't say like this is seeming strange is the word seam is one of
those like classic state of verbs where it can't be an action it can't be a momentary feeling right
because that's how when we're adding verbi we're sort of turning it into an action verb that has
time 100% yeah I agree this one don't put it in the ing it'd be weird it'd be weird um appears she
appears to be a reasonable person right right same thing right this is very much like seems she seems
to be reasonable she appears to be reasonable but here's what's tricky about appear you are going
to hear the word appearing right because this is a present continuous action verb with a totally
different meaning we use it to say like pink is currently appearing at Madison Gardens this does
not mean seem right it means performing or you might say she's always appearing when I least
expect her again this is a totally different verb an action verb that means to show up out
of nowhere so this is a little tricky because some verbs like appear are a state of verb with
a totally different meaning than the action verb of the same word English that is crazy oh my gosh
this is this is B2 level here you know what I mean B2 moving into C1 level for our listeners it's
where we push through this confusion I mean just the the difference in those two meanings is very
subtle but it's also very drastic in conversation it right so here's her Pro tip if you if you
see appears in a sentence or you want to use it can you replace it with right she appears to be
reasonable she seems to be reasonable if so it's a state of verb don't add ing you could not say she
is appearing to be reasonable nope she appears and if it doesn't if you can't replace it with
seam then it could be verb right pink is appearing at Madison Square Gardens we love your pro tips we
love it when you come in with these these zingers right these Pro tips and it just makes things
easier and so that is the way yeah can you replace it with seams then that is such a good point then
it's that first meaning the state of verb seam means the same as appear as a state of verb and
unfortunately the same word appear is a verb with a totally different meaning oh my gosh okay well
our listeners love role plays and so let's bring it back to a conversational roleplay so here
Aubrey we are at a dining inthe dark restaurant I think I've been to one of these before have you
I never have I kind of want to I'm trying to remember where it even was but it sounds very
familiar sound like it was a while ago and you were drinking a lot yeah probably I don't remember
where I was what I ate or it was just very dark until I was just confused and lost the whole time
so also possible all right here we go go for I'll start us out I can't tell what I'm tasting maybe
salmon oh me neither it tastes like mayi Mahi maybe oh I'm feeling a little nervous about this
same I feel like I'm going to stab myself in the eye with a fork this seemed like such a good idea
in theory yeah weird right I love this role play I was cracking myself up writing this role play
yeah I mean can people do is there a business for that is there a business model for that do people
I think people want to know what they're eating you know yeah I I know there is I know people
do this and I think it's you sense everything you taste everything wor potently in the dark I guess
and it's an experience I would do it yeah maybe I didn't go to one but I thought about going to
one I don't know I feel like I would remember it one of my favorite films about time they meet it's
they're meet cute they meet they're like seated at the same table these two girls these two boys
and they like hit it off and it's so cute and they don't know what each other looks like and
they come out of the restaurant and see each other for the first time it's so adorable yeah
that makes me think we should do maybe we should interview someone in Hollywood but we should do
an episode about Hollywood Classic Hollywood terms the meat cute uh treat the treatment of the script
like these are all Insider terms you hear in La that you really don't hear otherwise that much
let's find someone from Hollywood to interview I love that from Hollywood yeah yeah I love that
I actually know a director I might reach out to him love that that would be cool we'll be waiting
for that episode Aubrey there you go okay let's go through the role play so here we go you said
I can't tell what I'm tasting so iing yeah this makes almost would be strange to say I can't tell
what I taste because it's so like what I'm tasting right now I'm I'm making it an action I'm making
it have time so I would actually really encourage the use of verbing here it just sounds more right
to me it's so subtle here because there would be a place to use taste if I if I were serving you
the meal hey you obviously don't know what's on this plate let us know what you taste that's right
before you receive the meal or you go to a tasting taste yeah but as you exactly eating it you might
be more likely to say I can't quite tell what I'm tasting yes interesting it is subtle so quick tip
to not stress about this right with a lot of these you can use either verb ing or present
tense don't let this stop you from making these connections but we get so many questions from
listeners about this because they hear natives using both a textbook has taught them they can't
so we wanted to break it down let you know why why you're hearing both but don't let it stress you
out most cases both are fine F like I said once you really Master this you're really moving into
you know near native fluency Advanced C1 level so guys don't worry about it focus on connection so
then we had an example of using tastes I said me neither it tastes like mahi mahi maybe and again
that works too yes and this is more if you think of it it's a state of verb here because it tastes
like mahi mahi it would always tastes like mahi mahi there's no time yeah and it's also a chunk
what does it taste like oh tast like chocolate ice cream right tast like Mah Mah yeah good and then
I'm feeling a little nervous articulating your current feelings yeah and I for sure could say
I feel a little nervous about this both work right but we do do this I'm feeling nervous right now in
this moment so it's more today's episode is more about you have another option less about it would
be wrong to use the non-g form right it's more about letting you go guys know why you're hearing
this why you're hearing natives cuz we get so many questions get it that's confusing yeah yeah yeah
and then I said same I feel like I'm going to stab myself in the eye yes and then I said this seemed
like such a good idea and I just realized that I did it when I said you're hearing these you
probably think it should be you hear these right but state of verb hearing we use it both ways
perfect example wow you didn't even tried to do that example and it just came out I just noticed
I was like oh hey there it is I love it so what's the takeaway I mean again guys not to get stressed
out we know you have questions this is more about observing right what you hear out in the world
and maybe trying this out a little bit yeah and I think it's helpful for you to know like textbooks
teachers might have taught you this is wrong so you're confused why you hear natives doing
it it's good to recognize that like textbooks aren't always right about how natives actually
speak in Daily conversations it's also possible that some of the textbooks you may have studied
in school were written in the' 60s or the 70s and are not getting updated and language is changing
that's the other piece of this some of these we're seeing as more of a trend in the last
five or 10 years right or they're teaching very formal English and this is very conversational
English a lot of these I probably wouldn't write in a p like no it's the way we speak yeah and we
said that in one of the previous episodes too right this is not about written English guys
today is about spoken English okay yes so be sure to check out this whole series so you get all the
details about the state of verbs and how you can use them in English for deeper connections all
right good stuff Aubrey I will talk to you soon have a good day awesome thanks Lindsay bye bye
[Music]
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