A. We use continuous forms for actions and happenings that have started but not finished (they are
eating / it is raining etc.). Some verbs (for example, know and Like) are not normally used in this
way. We don't say 'I am knowing' or 'they are liking'; we say 'I know', 'they like'.
The following verbs are not normally used in the present continuous:
| Like, want, need, prefer |
| know, realize, suppose, mean, understand, believe |
| Belong, fit, contain, consist, seem |
¡ I'm hungry. I want something to eat. (not I'm wanting)
¡ Do you understand what I mean?
¡ Anna doesn't seem very happy at the moment.
B. Think
When think means 'believe' or 'have an opinion', we do not use the continuous:
¡ I think Mary is Canadian, but I'm not sure. (not I'm thinking)
¡ What do you think of my plan? (=What is your opinion?)
When think means 'consider', the continuous is possible:
¡ I'm thinking about what happened. I often think about it.
¡ Nicky is thinking of giving up her job. (=she is considering it)
C. See hear smell taste
We normally use the present simple (not continuous) with these verbs:
¡ Do you see that man over there? (Not are you seeing)
¡ This room smells. Lefts open a window.
We often use can + see/hear/smell/taste:
¡ I can hear a strange noise. Can you hear it?
D. Look, feel
You can use the present simple or continuous to say how somebody looks or feels now:
¡ You Look well today. Or you're looking well today.
¡ how do you feel now? Or how are you feeling now?
But
¡ I usually feel tired in the morning. (Not I'm usually feeling)
E. He is selfish and He is being selfish
He's being = He's behaving I He's acting. Compare:
¡ can't understand why he's being so selfish. He isn't usually like that.
(Being selfish = behaving selfishly at the moment)
¡ He never thinks about other people. He is very selfish. (Not He is being)
(= He is selfish generally, not only at the moment)
We use am/is/are being to say how somebody is behaving. It is not usually possible in other
sentences:
¡ it's hot today. (Not It is being hot)
¡ Sarah is very tired. (Not is being tired)
3:54 PM
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