[A] think: What are you thinking about? – I’m thinking about the play we saw last night. (Pero: What do you think of it? (opinión solicitada) – I don’t think much of it. (opinión dada)). Tom is thinking of emigrating. What do you think of the idea? – I think it is a stupid idea. He should stay where he is. [B] assume: I’m assuming that you have time to do a lot of research; The new government is assuming power at once. [C] expect: I’m expecting a letter; She’s expecting a baby in May.
[A] think se puede usar en el tiempo continuo cuando no se da ni se solicita ninguna opinión:
- What are you thinking about? – I’m thinking about the play we saw last night. Pero
- What do you think of it? (opinión solicitada) – I don’t think much of it. (opinión dada)
- Tom is thinking of emigrating. What do you think of the idea? –
I think it is a stupid idea. He should stay where he is.
[B] assume puede usarse en tiempo continuo cuando significa «aceptar como punto de partida»:
- I’m assuming that you have time to do a lot of research.
assume «el poder/control de un país u organización» puede también usarse en tiempo continuo:
– The new government is assuming power at once.
[C] expect se puede usar en tiempo continuo cuando significa «esperar»:
- I’m expecting a letter.
- She’s expecting a baby in May.
A Practical English Grammar (A.J. Thomson & A.V. Martinet) 