A: We use continuous forms for actions and happenings that have started but not finished ( they are eating / it is raining )

ome 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'.

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.
  • What do you think about my plan?

When think means consider, the continuous is possible:

  • I'm thinking about what happened. I often think about it.
  • Jeehee is thinking of giving up her job.(she is considering it)
He is selfish and He is being selfish

He's being = He's behaving

  • 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)

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)
  • Jeehee is very tired. (not is being tired)
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?
Look feel

You can use the present simple or continuous to say how 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)

Exercises

Are the underlined verbs right or wrong? Correct them where necessary.

  1. Nicky is thinking of giving up her job. __________
  2. Are you believing in God? __________
  3. I'm feeling hungry. Is there anything to eat? __________
  4. This sauce is great. It's tasting really good. __________
  5. I'm thinking this is your key. Am I right? __________

Use the words in brackets to make sentences. (You should also study Unit 3 before you do this exercise.)

  1. (you / not /seem / very happy today)
    You don't seem very happy today.
  2. (what / you / do?) ________________________________________
  3. (who / this umbrella / belong to?) ________________________________________
  4. (the dinner / smell / good) ________________________________________
  5. Excuse me. (anybody / sit / there?) ________________________________________
  6. (these gloves / not / fit / me) ________________________________________
    They're too small.

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

  1. Are you hungry? _______________(you/want) something to eat?
  2. Don't put the dictionary away. I ____________________ (use) it.
  3. Don't put the dictionary away. I ____________________ (need) it.
  4. Who is that man? What ____________________ (he / want)?
  5. Who is that man? Why ____________________ (he/ look) at us?
  6. Alan says he's 80 years old, but nobody ____________________ (believe) him.
  7. She told me her name, but I ____________________ (not / remember) it now.
  8. I ____________________ (think) of selling my car. Would you be interested in buying it?
  9. I ____________________ (think) you should sell your car. You ____________________ (not / use) it very often.
  10. Air ____________________ (consist) mainly of nitrogen and oxygen.

Complete the sentences using the most suitable form of be. Sometimes you must use the simple (am/is/are) and sometimes the continuous is more suitable (am/is/are being).

  1. I can't understand why __________ so selfish. He isn't usually like that.
  2. Sarah ____________________ very nice to me at the moment. I wonder why.
  3. You'll like Debbie when you meet her. She ____________________ very nice.
  4. You're usually very patient, so why ____________________ so unreasonable about waiting ten more minutes?
  5. Why isn't Steve at work today ____________________ ill?