Zorg SpaceVerbs that change meaning in the continuous
The rule
A group of verbs has two lives. In the simple they name a state; in the continuous they name an action, and the meaning changes. I think it is fine is an opinion; I am thinking about it is mental work. She has a car is ownership; She is having lunch is an activity. I see what you mean is understanding; I am seeing the doctor is an appointment. It tastes awful is the quality; He is tasting the soup is what he is doing. You are being difficult describes behaviour now, not character.
think / have / see / taste / smell / feel / be / weigh / appear — simple = state, continuous = action
Examples
I am thinking about taking the other job.
She is having a difficult year.
You are being unusually patient this morning.
I am seeing the surveyor at two.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong: I am knowing the answer.
Right: I know the answer.
know has no continuous form at all.
-
Wrong: I am thinking it is a good idea.
Right: I think it is a good idea.
An opinion takes the simple.
-
Wrong: She is having a new car.
Right: She has a new car.
Ownership takes the simple.
Practice questions
Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.
-
1Choose the correct sentence.
- I see the doctor on Thursday every week normally and now.
- I am seeing what you mean now.
- I am seeing that it is difficult.
- I am seeing the doctor on Thursday.
Show answer
Answer: D I am seeing the doctor on Thursday.
An appointment takes the continuous.
-
2Choose the correct sentence.
- The soup tastes salty.
- The soup is tasting salty.
- The soup tastes salty now being.
- The soup is taste salty.
Show answer
Answer: A The soup tastes salty.
A quality takes the simple.
-
3Choose the correct sentence.
- He is difficult about the dates right now being.
- He being difficult about the dates.
- He is being difficult about the dates.
- He is been difficult about the dates.
Show answer
Answer: C He is being difficult about the dates.
is being describes behaviour now.
-
4Fill in the gap.
I _____ about it and I will let you know tomorrow.
- thinks
- am thinking
- think
- am think
Show answer
Answer: B I am thinking about it and I will let you know tomorrow.
Mental work in progress.
-
5Fill in the gap.
She _____ three sisters and one of them lives here.
- is have
- is having
- has
- have
Show answer
Answer: C She has three sisters and one of them lives here.
Family is a state.
-
6Fill in the gap.
The room _____ of damp.
- smells
- is smell
- smell
- is smelling
Show answer
Answer: A The room smells of damp.
A quality takes the simple.
-
7Fill in the gap.
He _____ the milk to see whether it has gone off.
- is smell
- smell
- is smelling
- smells
Show answer
Answer: C He is smelling the milk to see whether it has gone off.
A deliberate action takes the continuous.
-
8Fill in the gap.
I _____ the point you are making, but I disagree.
- am see
- see
- sees
- am seeing
Show answer
Answer: B I see the point you are making, but I disagree.
Understanding is a state.
-
9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.
Which sentence is wrong?
- I would like a written answer.
- I am wanting a written answer.
- I am asking for a written answer.
- I want a written answer.
Show answer
Answer: B I am wanting a written answer.
want has no continuous.
-
10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.
Which sentence is wrong?
- She is owning two flats in the city.
- She is buying two flats in the city.
- She has two flats in the city.
- She owns two flats in the city.
Show answer
Answer: A She is owning two flats in the city.
own has no continuous.
Practise this lesson in Zorg Space
In the app every rule becomes interactive practice: instant correction, reviews at the moment you are about to forget, and progress you can see from level to level — free.
Start for free