We use continuous tenses only for actions and happenings (eat, rain, walk, etc.). Some verbs are not action verbs.
For example: know and like.
You cannot say “I am knowing” or “I am liking”.You can only say “I know” and “I like”.
The following verbs are not used in continuous tenses:
like - love - hate - want - need - prefer - know - realize - suppose - mean understand - believe - remember - belong - contain - consist - depend - seem
Examples:
• I’m hungry. I want something to eat.
• Do you understand what I mean?
• John doesn’t seem very happy at the moment.
Think
When think means believe, do not use continuous.
Compare: • What do you think will happen? (believe) • You look serious.What are you thinking about? (what’s on your mind?)
• I am thinking of giving up my job. (considering)
Have
When have means possess, do not use continuous. Compare: • We’re enjoying our holiday.We have a nice room in the hotel.
• We’re enjoying our holiday.We are having a great time.
See - hear - smell - taste
We normally use the present simple with these verbs.
• Do you see that man over there? • This room smells. Let’s open a window. We often use can with these verbs. • Listen! Can you hear something? We use the continuous with see when the meaning is “having a meeting with sb”.
• I’m seeing the manager tomorrow morning. CLASS 8
Be
The continuous form of be is being.
I am being / he is being / you are being.
We use am/is/are being to say how somebody is behaving. It is not usually possible in other sentences.
• I can’t understand why he’s being so selfish. He isn’t usually like that.
• It’s hot today.
• Sarah is very tired.
Look and feel
You can use the present continuous or simple when you say how somebody looks or feels now.
• You look well today. • You are looking well today. • How do you feel now? • How are you feeling now?
But: I usually feel tired in the morning. (not I’m usually feeling)
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