Present continuous and present simple (2)

UNIT 4. Present continuous and present simple (2) (I am doing and I do)
A. We use continuous tenses only for actions and happenings (they are eating/it is raining etc.).
Some verbs (for example, know and like) are not action verbs. You cannot say 'I am knowing' or ,they are liking'; you can only say 'I know', 'they like'.
The following verbs are not normally used in continuous tenses:
like love hate want need prefer know realise suppose mean understand believe remember belong contain consist depend seem
* I'm hungry. I want something to eat. (not 'I'm wanting')
* Do you understand what I mean?
* Ann doesn't seem very happy at the moment.
When think means 'believe', do not use the continuous:
* What do you think (= believe) will happen? (not 'what are you thinking')
but * You look serious. What are you thinking about? (= What is going on in your mind?) * I'm thinking of giving up my job. (= I am considering) When have means 'possess' etc., do not use the continuous (see Unit 17): * We're enjoying our holiday. We have a nice room in the hotel. (not 'we're having') but * We're enjoying our holiday. We're having a great time.

B. 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: * Listen! Can you hear something? But you can use the continuous with see (I'm seeing) when the meaning is 'having a meeting with' (especially in the future--see Unit 19A): * I'm seeing the manager tomorrow morning.

C. He is selfish and He is being selfish The present continuous of be is I am being/he is being/you are being etc. I'm being = 'I'm behaving/I'm 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) but * 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')

D. Look and feel
You can use the present simple or continuous when you say how somebody looks or feels now: * You took 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')