Present Continuous and Simple Present (II) (I am doing an I do) (4)
A
We can use continuous tenses only for actions and happnening (they are eating / it is rainig, etc) some verbs are not action verbs. You can’t say ‘I’m knowing” or “They are liking me” ; you can only say I know, they like.
Like, love, hate want, need, prefer
Know, realize, suppose, mean, understand, believe, remember
Belong, contain, consist, depend, seem
I’m hungry. I want something to eat. (not I;m wanting)
Do you usdersatnd what I mean?
Kim doesn’t seem very happy right now.
When think means “belive,” do not use the continusou:
What do you think (=believe) will happen? (not What are you thinking)
You look serious. What are you thinking about? (= what is going on in your mind?)
I’m thinking of quitting my job. (=I am considering)
When have means “posses” Do not use the continuous.
We are enjoying our trip. We have a nice room in the hotel. (not We are having)
We are enjoying our trip. We are having a great time.
B
See / hear / smell / taste
We normally use the simple present (not continuous) with these verbs.
Do you see that man over there? (not Are you seeing)
This room smells. Let’s open a window.
We often use can+see/hear/smell/taste :
Listen! Can you hear something?
Note that you can say I’m seeing when the meaning is “having a meeting with” (especially in the future)
I am seeing the manager tomorrow moring.
C
He is selfish and he is being selfish
He’s being = he is behaving / he’s acting.
I can’t understand why he is 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.
(=he is selfish generally,m 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 is hot today. (not It is being hot)
Sarah is very tired. (not is being tired)
D
Look and feel
You can use simple present or continuous to say how somebody looks or feels now :
You look good today. Or you are looking good tday.
How do you feel now? Or how are you feeling now?
I usually feel tired in the morning. (not I’m usually feeling)