A. We
use continuous tenses only for actions and happenings (they are eating/it is
raining etc.).
Some
verbs (for example, know and like) are not action verbs. You cannot say 'I am
knowing' or ,they are liking'; you can only say 'I know', 'they like'.
The
following verbs are not normally used in continuous tenses:
like love hate
want need prefer
know realise suppose
mean understand believe
remember belong contain
consist depend seem
* I'm
hungry. I want something to eat. (not 'I'm wanting')
* Do you
understand what I mean?
* Ann
doesn't seem very happy at the moment.
When
think means 'believe', do not use the continuous:
* What
do you think (= believe) will happen? (not 'what are you thinking')
but *
You look serious. What are you thinking about? (= What is going on in your
mind?)
* I'm
thinking of giving up my job. (= I am considering)
When
have means 'possess' etc., do not use the continuous (see Unit 17):
* We're
enjoying our holiday. We have a nice room in the hotel. (not 'we're having')
but *
We're enjoying our holiday. We're having a great time.
B.
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:
*
Listen! Can you hear something?
But you
can use the continuous with see (I'm seeing) when the meaning is 'having a
meeting with' (especially in the future--see Unit 19A):
* I'm
seeing the manager tomorrow morning.
C. He
is selfish and He is being selfish
The
present continuous of be is I am being/he is being/you are being etc.
I'm
being = 'I'm behaving/I'm 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)
but * 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')
D.
Look and feet
You can
use the present simple or continuous when you say how somebody looks or feels
now:
* You
took 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')
