Homework 1 EG, Unit 4, Introduction 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 Examples: I'm hungry. I want something to eat. (not I'm wanting) Do you understand what I mean? (not Do you understanding) 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 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. 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)