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')
EXERCISES
4.1
Are the underlined verbs right or wrong? Correct the ones that are wrong.
1. I'm
seeing the manager tomorrow morning.
RIGHT
2. I'm feeling hungry. Is there anything to
eat? --- wrong, I feel hungry
3. Are
you believing in God? --- wrong, do you
believe in God? no I’m an atheist
4. This
sauce is great. It's tasting really good.
--- - wrong, it tastes really good.
5. I'm thinking this is your key. Am I
right? --- wrong, I think
4.2
Look at the pictures. Use the words in brackets to make sentences. (You should
also study Unit 3 before you do this exercise.)
1.
(you/not/seem/very happy today) You
don't seem very happy today.
2.
(what/you/do?) ---what are you doing?
Be
quiet! (I/think) ---I’m thinking
3.
(who/this umbrella/belong to?) --- To
whom does this umbrella belong ?
I've no
idea.
4. (the
dinner/smell/good) ---The dinner smells
good.
5.
Excuse me. (anybody/sit/here?) ---Is
anybody sitting here?
No, it's
free
6. Can
you ring me back in half an hour? (I/have/dinner) ---I’m having dinner
4.3
Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple.
1. Are
you hungry? Do you want something to
eat? (you/want)
2. Jill
is interested in politics but she --- to a political party. (not/belong) does
not belong to
3. Don't
put the dictionary away. I --- it. (use) I’m using it
4. Don't
put the dictionary away. I --- it. (need) I need it.
5. Who
is that man? What ---? (he/want) does he want
6. Who
is that man? Why --- at us? (he/look) is he looking
7.
George says he's 80 years old but nobody --- him. (believe) - believes
8. She
told me her name but I --- it now. (not/remember) – don’t remember
9. I ---
of selling my car. (think) Would you be interested in buying it? Am thinking
10. I --- you should sell your w
car. (think) You --- it very often. (not/use)
think, don’t use
11. I
used to drink a lot of coffee but these days I --- tea. (prefer) prefer
12. Air --- mainly of nitrogen and oxygen.
(consist) consists
4.4
Complete the sentences using the most suitable form of be. Sometimes you must
use the simple (am/is/are) and sometimes the continuous is more suitable
(am/is/are being).
1. I
can't understand why he's being so selfish. He isn't usually like that.
2. Jack
--- very nice to me at the moment. I wonder why. – was being
3.
You'll like Jill when you meet her. She --- very nice. - is
4.
Normally you are very sensible, so why --- so silly about this matter? Are you
being
5. Why isn't Sarah at work today? --- ill? – Is she
being
