004 : Present continuous and present simple 2 (I am doing and I do)

   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      realise      suppose      mean      understand      believe      remember

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. Let's 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 / He's acting. Compare:

• I 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. lt is not usually possible in other sentences:

• It's hot today. (not It is being hot)
• Sarah is very tired. (not is being tired)