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Luyện ngữ pháp English Grammar in Use (Unit 4: Present continuous and present simple 2)


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)
Exercises - 4.1


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