Intermediate grammar · Unit 4 · B1

Present continuous and present simple 2 (I am doing and I do)

Present and past

Some verbs, such as know, like and want, are not normally used in the continuous. This unit covers those verbs, the two meanings of think, the senses (see, hear, smell, taste, look, feel) and am/is/are being for behaviour.

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A Verbs not normally used in the continuous

Continuous forms (I'm waiting, it's raining) describe actions and happenings that have started and not finished.

Some verbs describe states rather than actions, and they are not normally used in this way. We do not say I am knowing or they are liking. We say I know and they like.

These verbs are not normally used in the present continuous:
like want need prefer
know realise understand recognise
believe suppose remember mean
belong fit contain consist
seem
  • I'm thirsty. I want a glass of water. (not I'm wanting)
  • Do you know what she's talking about?
  • This jar contains peanuts, so keep it away from Sam.
  • Jake doesn't seem very well this morning.

B think

When think means believe or have an opinion, do not use the continuous.

When think means consider, the continuous is possible.

  • I think Owen is from Swansea, but I'm not certain. (not I'm thinking)
  • What do you think of the new bus timetable? (= what is your opinion?)
  • I'm thinking about what she said. I often think about it.
  • Rhian is thinking of moving to Bristol. (= she is considering it)

C see, hear, smell, taste, look, feel

With see, hear, smell and taste, we normally use the present simple, not the continuous.

To say how somebody looks or feels now, either the simple or the continuous is possible.

For something that happens regularly, however, use the simple only.

  • Do you hear that noise outside? (not Are you hearing)
  • This milk smells odd. When did you buy it?
  • The curry doesn't taste of much.
  • You look tired. or You're looking tired.
  • How do you feel now? or How are you feeling now?
  • I usually feel stiff after football. (not I'm usually feeling)

D am/is/are being

Use he's being, you're being and so on to say how somebody is behaving now, which is something they can control.

Compare he's being rude (he is behaving rudely at the moment) with he's rude (he is rude in general, not only now).

In other situations, being is not usually possible. Somebody can be careful on purpose. They cannot be ill on purpose, or at least they should not be.

  • I don't know why she's being so unhelpful. She's normally very kind.
  • "Mind the steps, they're wet." "Don't worry, I'm being careful."
  • He never shares anything. He's very mean. (= mean in general)
  • I hate rushing. I'm a very careful driver.
  • Hollie is ill. (not is being ill)
  • Are you cold? (not Are you being cold?)

Exercises

4.1 Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple.

  1. Are you thirsty? Do you want (you / want) a cup of tea?

    Are you thirsty? Do you want a cup of tea?

  2. Kerry says she once had lunch with a famous footballer, but nobody (believe) her.

  3. He told me his address, but (I / not / remember) it now.

  4. Leave the ladder where it is. (I / use) it.

  5. Leave the ladder where it is. (I / need) it.

  6. A basic sponge cake (consist) of flour, sugar, butter and eggs.

  7. There's a woman at the door. What (she / want)?

  8. There's a woman at the door. Why (she / look) through our window?

  9. There's a woman at the door. (you / recognise) her?

  10. (I / think) of buying a campervan. Would you come to the Lake District with me?

  11. I can't decide what to do. What (you / think) I should do?

  12. The dog wouldn't eat this morning, but (it / seem) fine now.

4.2 Use the words in brackets to make sentences.

  1. A man is sitting alone at a bus stop, staring at the ground. His friend sits down next to him.

    (you / not / seem / very cheerful today)

    You don't seem very cheerful today.

    You don't seem very cheerful today.

  2. A woman is gazing out of the window with her chin in her hand. Her friend asks: "Are you all right? You're very quiet."

    (I / think)

  3. After a party, somebody holds up a red scarf that was left on a chair. Nobody claims it.

    (who / this scarf / belong to?)

  4. A man walks into a kitchen where a curry is cooking on the hob.

    (this / smell / lovely)

  5. On a busy train, a woman points to an empty seat next to a man. He replies: "No, it's free."

    Excuse me. (anybody / sit / here?)

  6. A boy in a shoe shop is pulling a face. The shoes are clearly too small for him.

    (these shoes / not / fit / me)

4.3 Look at the verb in capitals. If it is right, write OK. If it is wrong, write the correct form.

  1. Lucy IS THINKING of moving to Edinburgh.

    OK

    Lucy is thinking of moving to Edinburgh.

  2. That can't be right. I'M NOT BELIEVING it.

    I don't believe

    That can't be right. I don't believe it.

  3. I'M FEELING a bit cold. Have you got a jumper I could borrow?

  4. I've never tried this cheese. What IS IT TASTING like?

  5. I'm not sure what he does. I THINK he works for the council.

  6. Look out of the window. What ARE YOU SEEING?

  7. You've gone very quiet. What ARE YOU THINKING about?

4.4 Complete the sentences. Use is/are being (behaviour now) or is/are (in general).

  1. I don't know why she's being so rude today. She's normally lovely.

    I don't know why she's being so rude today. She's normally lovely.

  2. You'll get on with Dan when you meet him. He very funny.

  3. My brother very helpful this week. He even did the ironing. I wonder what he wants.

  4. They very excited. They've just won a holiday.

  5. You're usually so calm, so why so impatient about a five-minute wait?

  6. Would you like a sandwich? hungry?

See also