1.3A
Verbs of believing, having, liking, etc.
VERBS RARELY USED IN THE CONTINUOUS
There are a number of verbs in English which we rarely use in a continuous tense. They often describe states of being, thinking, possessing or feeling:
X Moot people aren't believing in the existence of UFOor
iS Most people don't believe in the existence of UFOs. The most common of these verbs are:
vet bs of existing or being verbs of possessing verbs of feeling or wanting
verbs of thinking or believing
verbs of appearance other verbs
be, consist of, contain, exist
beionq to, have f= own), include, lack, own, possess
adore, desire, despise, detest, dislike, envy, hate, like, love, need, pity, prefer, trust, want, wish
believe, doubt, expect, feel (= think), former, imagine, intend, know, realise, recognise, remember, see 4 {= understand), suppose, think, understand
appear, resemble, seem
concern, depend, deserve, fit, matter, measure, mean, mind, weigh
1.3B
Using these verbs in the continuous
It is possible to use many of the verbs in 1.3A in the continuous, but the verb either
has a different meaning or expresses a temporary action:
7s Maria ready yet?' 'No, she's having a shower.' (= is taking)
Now that-there's electricity in the village, Santos is thinking of getting his house
connected. (= is considering)
This table shows some of the common differences in use:
verb
be
have think mean appear
use in present simple
Your son is a very obedient child, isn't he7
They're very rich. They have three homes and a yacht:
I think that the world's problems are getting worse.
The sign means 'slow down'.
use in present continuous
Your son is being very obedient at the moment (= is behaving obediently)
I'm having a really good time, thanks [= am experiencing)
I'm thinking of contributing to Oxfam. ,(= am considering)
You're always meaning to call us, but you never do: (= are intending)
It appears the'police have_" not started the investigation.
wfiigh     She weighs 70 kilos.
The Philharmonic are appearing at the Pplladium. (=. are performing) -
I'm weighing the ingredients for the cake - , , (= action of weighing)
O Some verbs of feeling can be used in both the simple and the continuous with no change in meaning:
My wrist hurts/is hurting again -1 must go to the physiotherapist.
I think those mussels may have been off. Do you feel/Are you feeling OK today?
1.3C  We do not usually use the continuous form with verbs which describe a sense or a form Sense verbs   of perception, e.g. ftear, not/ce, see, sme//, tost^:
X I'm noticing that your wife doesn't come to the wine tastings. Doesn't she drink?
✓ / notice that your wife doesn't come to the wine tastings. Doesn't she drink? With verbs which describe a sense, we usually use the simple form or canJcould + the verb when we do not deliberately use the sense, i.e. the use is involuntary:
Can you smell the fertiliser? We're really in the countryside now! With smell and taste, we can use the continuous for a deliberate action:
/ (can] taste cream in this, (there is cream in the dish; involuntary action)
I'm tasting the cream, {the cream might be off; intentional action) 0 We usually use the verbs see and hear only in the involuntary sense, unless they have a different meaning, e.g. I'm seeing a new man at present (= going out with). We use look at, watch or listen to for an intentional action:
X Can you keep the noise down? I'm hearing-the afternoon play? I ___*/ Can you keep the noise down? I'm listening to the afternoon play.
Read each pair of sentences below, A and B. The sentence which follows each pair is related to one of the sentences in the pair. (For example, it could come after the sentence or describe the sentence.) Write the letter of the correct sentence in the box.
0 A Steven's a difficult child. B Steven's being difficult.
He isn't usually difficult. [H
1 A This saimon weighs more than six kilos.
B We're weighing the salmon to put a price on it.
. This is a characteristic of the saimon. IZI
2 A I invite everyone present to the opening of the new superstore. B I'm inviting everyone to the opening of the new superstore.
I'm offering this invitation to you now. D
3 A The dance group appears to have arrived at the theatre. B The dance group is appearing at the theatre.
There are performances every evening. EH
4 A Mmm. I taste cinnamon in this. Lovely.
B I'm tasting it to see if there's enough cinnamon in it.
/ need to check the quantity of cinnamon.
<
5 A I think house prices will rise again next year. B I'm thinking of selling my house next year.
This is my opinion.
6 A My sister has a baby.
B My sister's having a baby.
My sister's pregnant.
7 A I smell lavender. Is there a bush in the garden?
B I'm smelling the lavender. It's a very strong variety.
The smell has just come to my attention. ;........ D .   . .
8 A He's having a shower.
B He has a fantastic power shower in the main bathroom.
Why don't you wait in the living room?
9 A We guarantee that your children will be supervised by experienced instructors. B My husband and I are guaranteeing the loan for Mrs Knight.
The company takes full responsibility.
10 A Is this an inadequate explanation or am I being stupid?
B I'm sorry, I don't understand. Am i really so stupid? s Is this a permanent characteristic of mine?
5]A  2A  *B  4B 5A BB  7A  8A  9 A   10 B