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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)

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