This is the Business English Podcast, Episode 581.
See what grammar can do for your English.
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Hello, Michelle.
How are you?
Hi, Aubrey.
I'm good.
I'm happy to be recording with you today.
How are you?
I'm great.
Question for you.
What's a goal you've been seeing progress on?
Um, okay.
Well, I've been.
I mean, Lindsay hears about this a lot, but I've been playing music with my friend Ian.
Amazing.
Yeah.
And who actually made an appearance in one of our courses.
Right.
And we've been playing and so we have the we have a goal to play like a non open mic gig.
Sometimes this year gig.
It doesn't have to be paid, but just like a not open, like at a farmer's market or, you know, not just, oh, we go and it's, you know, not where you're signing up and it's open mic, like where you are the entertainment.
Right.
And so and I mean, we're actually we're like actively trying to now look for something.
And we've been just really working on our set list.
And we have quite a little set now.
So we've been really working towards that goal.
So hopefully, we'll be getting out there soon.
That's exciting.
That's amazing progress.
You'll have to keep us updated.
And when you play the gig, that's awesome.
Well, I have a question, a grammar question.
When I asked you that question, it's interesting because I'm using the verb seeing.
What's a goal you've been seeing progress on?
And this is clearly not anything that you're actually visually seeing.
What you answered was more about something you're making progress on.
Right.
Which is interesting.
This is what we're talking about today.
I got a great question in our QA about present versus present progressive with the verb to see when.
When should you use see and when should you use seeing conjugated and present progressive?
This was Shelly in the Q&A.
Shout out to Shelly.
Always amazing questions.
And that's what we're diving into today.
Great.
Okay, this is exciting.
So yeah, it's interesting because I probably would have said I've been seeing progress, like if I was exercising and I could actually
See results.
Right.
That's it.
Yeah.
But it's interesting.
Yeah, I didn't really go with what you wanted me.
No, no, that was perfect.
That's perfect.
Because the question is, we'll often say this, what are you seeing progress on?
And you can answer about.
You weren't thrown by that, because you can answer about any goal that you're making progress on.
But this is how we ask.
We'll often say, where are you seeing progress?
What are you seeing?
And we don't really mean you could answer that way.
Oh, I'm seeing my muscles get strong, like actually literally seeing it.
Not necessarily.
I'm seeing progress on, I'm trying to be more positive.
And that's not always something that you're visually seeing.
That's not, we don't use it literally.
We don't only use this verb literally.
Right.
Right.
So let's talk about it more.
Guys, before we get into it, we want to remind you to hit follow wherever you're listening to the Business English podcast, so you never miss anything from us.
Yes.
And of course, you'll still be hearing Lindsay's voice as well.
Michelle and I are excited to record together some as well.
So fun.
So let's dive in here.
We have...
Three different ways.
We're going to show you where we use see or seeing, and we'll go through how we use it.
Why the grammar?
You're going to get everything you need to know today.
All right.
So, here we go.
The first one is a C as the base verb.
So, when would you say is a time when we use this?
Yeah, so we have actually three different ways that we do this.
The first is after modal verbs, right?
These could be can, could, will, would, should, might, must.
So the structure is a modal verb and then see the base verb.
So we use this a lot at work.
For example, we can see the results of the marketing campaign in next month's report.
So you have can and then see.
We can see the results.
Yep.
Or you should see the latest sales figures before making a decision.
So should, right?
A modal and then see.
Yes.
And second, we use it after to as an infinitive.
So the structure is to and then the base verb.
So to see together, that's called an infinitive.
For example, I'd like to see the final version of the contract.
So here it's an infinitive, to see.
I'd like to see.
Or same thing here.
The manager wants to see the project timeline.
To see.
Mm hmm.
Exactly.
And this is more literal, right?
It means they actually want to look at it.
They want to see it with their eyeballs.
Right.
But third, we use it in the simple present tense and the structure is just.
You know the subject and then the conjugated verb see or sees.
So, for example, I see several opportunities for growth in this market.
And this isn't so much about visually seeing something with your eyes.
It's like I'm observing it.
I'm noticing it.
I'm seeing signs of other things.
I may be even hearing things.
Right.
It's a little more metaphorical when we say see this way right right um, or she sees potential problems with the proposal, right.
So here that means more like predicts right yes, sees it coming.
She is right.
Well, that's what i was thinking about.
Um, it's like a fortune teller right, i see you um, i see the future.
I am predicting what is going to happen.
What do I see in your future?
Yes, yes, exactly.
So number two here is seeing conjugated in present progressive, right?
When we use see in simple present and when do we use seeing in present continuous?
That's what's really tricky.
So first of all, continuous tenses.
This is an action that's happening now or around now, and it's usually ongoing.
So seeing conjugated in what's called either the present continuous or the present progressive.
They mean the same thing in English.
What's the structure for this, Michelle?
Yeah.
So the structure would be B plus seeing, right?
With the I-N-G.
Exactly.
So we're conjugating the verb to be, and then we have seeing after.
So for example, we are seeing strong growth in online sales this quarter.
And the time matters.
It's different here, right?
We're talking about an ongoing action, there's usually extended time to it, usually when we use present progressive
Right, exactly.
Or the company is seeing increased demand for its products, right?
So overall, we're seeing this.
I'm not seeing it just once.
Oh, I see you over there, right?
I'm seeing this and I'm seeing this increased demand.
Exactly.
Right.
Otherwise, you used present simple.
I see this one time.
I see what's happening.
Present progressive, the time's different, right?
It's an ongoing action, usually happening now and continuing.
Exactly.
Right.
And then secondly, we use this as a gerund after a preposition.
So the structure is a preposition and then seeing as a gerund used as a noun.
A gerund is a verb ing, but that acts as a noun.
Yep, exactly.
So for example, I'm looking forward to seeing the results of the survey, right?
So I'm looking forward to the act of seeing something.
It's used as a noun here.
Or thank you for seeing me on such short notice.
Thank you for this act of choosing to see me.
This is different.
We're using it preposition, to or for, and then as a gerund.
And then third, as a reason.
And this is usually chunked as seeing that or seeing as.
Slightly informal, but common in conversation.
We use it at work all the time.
For example, we should postpone the meeting seeing that the VP can't attend.
Really here it means because we're providing the reason that we're postponing the meeting.
That's funny.
I don't see it as informal.
You feel it's a little more informal?
I feel like it almost is a little more formal.
Interesting.
I think it...
As opposed to the other options, right?
If you say right, we should postpone the meeting because the VP can't attend.
That feels sort of more direct and more formal.
And then if you say, seeing that sort of a little more like, I see what you mean, it's kind of a formal way to say that, but it's a little more conversational instead of directly saying like because this is the Right right right, right.
It's Yeah, that is interesting.
It's not quite like formal and formal or informal.
I think it's more direct or a little less good point, right?
More about direct or indirect.
Yeah, the tone of what you're saying more than how formal the actual words are the chunk is.
Yeah.
Or so for another example is we decided to expand the team seeing as the workload has increased.
Yeah.
Awesome.
All right, and lastly, we use I see, present simple here, as a common phrase meaning I understand.
We do this all the time.
I see your point, but we may need more data.
And that means like I understand your point.
I concede your point.
Or, oh, I see.
So the deadline has been moved to next week, right?
So you don't mean you actually see anything.
I get it.
I understand.
Exactly.
Let's do a role play and use a bunch of these.
You and I are colleagues here discussing a project update in a meeting.
I'll start us out.
Do you have numbers for this quarter?
I'd like to see the latest sales report before we finalize the strategy.
Sure.
We're actually seeing a steady increase in online sales this quarter.
That's great news.
I see that the new marketing campaign is working.
Definitely.
Seeing as we invested a lot in it I'm really glad it paid off.
I'm looking forward to seeing the full report when it's ready.
I'll have it finished by Monday.
Also I've been meaning to talk to you about my laptop.
I think I need a replacement.
I see.
Let's have IT look at it ASAP.
I'll get you a replacement to use in the meantime.
All right, let's dive into these.
And it's interesting because a native English speaker wouldn't even notice how many times they're saying I see it doesn't feel repetitive.
It means a bunch of different things conjugated a different bunch of different ways.
So let's go through these.
Okay, so you said I'd like to see the latest sales report before we finalize the strategy.
So again, this is the infinitive, like to see.
Exactly.
So we have our conjugated verb, I would like, and then that's followed by this infinitive.
I'd like to see the latest sales report.
And then you said, we're actually seeing a steady increase here.
It's present progressive.
This is an ongoing action happening now.
We are seeing increase.
We're seeing progress.
We use present progressive for that.
Yep, exactly.
And then you said, that's great news.
I see that the new marketing campaign is working.
So this is just the simple present.
Yeah.
Exactly.
And literally with your eyes maybe you're looking at resort, but really what you mean is I'm observing this.
I'm observing that the campaign is working, right?
Interesting.
But we conjugate it in simple present tense.
And sometimes we mean literally seeing with our eyes.
And sometimes we mean observing when we say I see.
It's interesting.
And then you said seeing as we invested a lot in it.
I'm really glad it paid off.
This is where we use it as a reason.
It means because because we invested a lot in it.
I'm really glad it paid off.
But we might say seeing as or seeing that.
Yeah.
And then you said, I'm looking forward to seeing the full report when it's ready.
So again, we have the preposition and then we have the gerund here.
Exactly.
Two is the preposition.
Seeing it's used here as a gerund.
Yep.
And then I said, I see.
Let's have IT look at it ASAP.
And this is where we use I see as a chunk that really means I understand.
You've told me there's something on your laptop.
I see means I understand.
I understand what you've said to me.
Um, so yeah.
And again, like Aubrey said, this didn't feel repetitive.
It's just so natural because there are so many different ways that we're using it.
It's just one of those things you know, sometimes we'll teach you something and then we use it in a role play a bunch of times and we'll say no, we're not going to actually use it all those times.
But in this situation, it's different.
Yes, such a great question.
I'm so glad Shelley sent it.
This is something that most native speakers haven't really thought about all the different ways we use see, and what it means every time and why.
Why is it sometimes present simple and sometimes present progressive?
So I'm really excited we were able to break this down, because we use these all the time at work, every day, constantly.
For sure.
And guys, head on over to episode 575 of the Business English podcast.
That was Getting Grilled at Work, How to Talk About High Pressure Situations.
This was just earlier this week.
Scroll up if you missed it.
This is excellent vocabulary.
We know a lot of you are in those high pressure situations and you need this vocabulary.
Definitely.
So Aubrey, takeaway for today.
Anything we should leave our listeners with before we head off the mic?
Yes, we know that you observe these things about English.
The grammar doesn't always make sense.
It doesn't seem logical why something is simple present and then simple progressive.
It doesn't always make sense.
A lot of idiomatic verb use, idiomatic language.
Don't stress about it, right?
Today's details are going to help you start using these correctly.
But if you're making mistakes with these...
What's more important is that you are communicating at work.
You're putting yourself out there.
You're trying.
So not something to you know to stop you from a conversation, from piping up at work.
If you have an idea.
But now that you have the grammar, you have these phrases, you'll be able to eliminate some of these common errors.
Exactly.
Exactly.
All right.
Well, I'm glad we talked about this today.
And I see that it's getting late.
So I guess we should jump off the mic.
Nice.
I see what you did there.
Oh, I see what you did there.
Awesome.
Thanks, Michelle.
It was not accidentally.
All right.
Literally.
See you.
Bye.
Bye.
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