2015-08-13
1586
Verbs that describe states are not usually used in the continuous form. Common state verbs include:
| Mental/Thinking verbs | agree, believe, know, remember, think, understand |
| Attitude verbs | hate, like, love, need, prefer, want, wish. |
| Sense/Perception verbs | hear, see, smell, taste |
| Appearance, qualities | appear, look (= seem), seem, sound |
| Being, possession | be, belong, contain, have, own |
| Other verbs | cost, fit, mean, owe |
I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Your job sounds really interesting.
Does this car belong to you? I owe Jessica £150.
· Some state verbs can be used in the continuous form when they describe actions. They include: be, have, see, smell, taste and think. Compare: I think (= believe) you’re right. I ’m thinking about (= considering) it. I see (= understand) what you mean. I’m seeing (= meeting) Tom tomorrow.
· With feel and look, we can use either the simple or the continuous form with no change in meaning: I feel/’m feeling ill. You look/’re looking tired.
· We often use can with sense/perception verbs: I can’t hear you.
· See and hear are state verbs, but look and listen describe actions. Compare: Do you see that girl over there? I ’m looking at your photos.
I can hear voices next door. Please be quiet. I’m listening to some music.
Complete the sentences. Use the present simple or present continuous of the verbs in the box.
|
0...... Do...... you...... understand...... how this works?
1 I’m sorry, but I.............................. with you.
2 Excuse me, how much.............................. these DVD players..............................?
3 What’s the matter, Becky? Why.............................. you..............................?
|
|
|
4 I.............................. soul music to rap.
5 Hurry up! Nikki and Anna.............................. for us!
6 Actually, I’m unhappy because I.............................. my course.
Circle the correct answer.
0 We have / ’re having dinner at the moment.
1 I’m not eating all the yoghurt! I taste /’m tasting it to see if it’s still OK.
2 Do you see / Are you seeing that blue car over there? It’s Ben’s.
3 I’m all right. I think /’m thinking about what I have to do tomorrow.
4 This soup tastes /’s tasting awful!
5 I love this shampoo. It smells /’s smelling of coconuts.
6 Sophie thinks /’s thinking I watch too much television.
7 My college has / is having some very good sports facilities.
8 I took this photo last week. This is me and this is Kim. She smells /’s smelling the flowers.
