Present Continuous - features of use. Learning Present Continuous (Present Progressive)
Present Progressive (Present Continuous) tense- present continuous tense. In most cases, this tense indicates that the action is happening right now. For us Russians, Present Continuous may seem too difficult to understand at first. This is not surprising, because in Russian there are no such verb tenses. For example, the sentence “I play the balalaika” in Russian can mean that I am playing now or that I am playing at all (I know how to play). In English these are two different sentences. However, we also use some verbs differently in different situations.
In general terms: if we want to say that the action is happening right now, then we use the Present Continuous (Present Progressive) form. But this is not the only case of using this temporary form. But more on this later. First, let's answer the question - How is Present Progressive (Continuous) formed?
Formation of Present Continuous: elementary rules and examples
The Present Progressive is formed quite simply: we take the verb to be, put it in the appropriate form for the subject (we change it in accordance with the subject - I am, he is, my mother is and so on) and add the corresponding verb with the ending ing, which is “attached” to its base.
Too difficult? Let's look at a diagram illustrating this process.
Still not clear? Okay, let's look at examples. To do this, let's take the verb to think- think. Since it ends in a consonant, when adding ing nothing will be discarded, that is, we get - thinking. If we want to say “I am thinking” (about something at the moment), then we will succeed - I am thinking. Now with other people:
Negative and interrogative forms are formed very simply:
| Question form | Negative form |
| Am I think ing? - I think? | I am don't think ing. - I don't think (I'm not thinking.) |
| Are you think ing? - You think? | You are don't think ing. - You don't think so. (You aren't thinking.) |
| Is he think ing? - Does he think? | He is don't think ing. - He doesn't think. (He isn't thinking.) |
| Is she think ing? - Does she think? | She is don't think ing. - She doesn't think. (She isn't thinking.) |
| Is it think ing? - Does it think? | It is don't think ing. - It doesn't think. (It isn't thinking.) |
| Are we think ing? - We think? | We are don't think ing. - We don't think so. (We're not thinking.) |
| Are they think ng? - Do they think? | They are don't think ing. - They don't think. (They aren't thinking.) |
Rules for using the Present Continuous and examples
Forming the Present Continuous form is quite simple. The most difficult thing is the correct use of this form. The point is that there are several cases when it is necessary to use the Present Continuous tense and not some other tense. Briefly, all these cases are indicated using a diagram:
This scheme is not yet entirely clear to us, but it will be useful in order to quickly remember the main cases of using the present progressive.
So, Present Continuous is used:
1. Designation of what is happening or not happening now, at the moment (now, at the moment).
- I’m studying the present continuous . - I have been studying the present for a long time.
- I'm not watching TV at the moment. — I’m not watching TV at the moment.
- I'm sitting now.- I'm sitting now.
- I'm using the Internet. — I use the Internet.
- We're talking about life. — We talk about life.
- She's not listening to me. — She doesn’t listen to me (now).
2. Designation of what is happening now in the broad sense of the word - today, this month, this year, and so on. Temporary situations that we feel or know will not last.
- I am studying to become a teacher. — I am studying to become a teacher (for example, 5 years).
- Are you working on any special projects at work? — Are you (now) working on some kind of work project?
- I’m living in Moscow for a few months. — I’ve been living in Moscow for several months.
- I'm reading a great book. — I am reading a wonderful book (Now, these days. Reading a book is a long process).
- He’s living with his mother until he finds an apartment. — He lives with his mother until he finds an apartment.
3. New or temporary habits that have not always existed.
- My father is smoking too much . (He used to smoke less or not at all).
- My cat’s eating a lot these days . (She never ate so much before).
4. Repetitive, annoying actions, habits using always, constantly, forever:
- I don’t like him because he is always complaining.
- They're forever being late.
- My sister is always losing her keys.
5. Plans for the near future
- I’m leaving at 5 am. — I leave at 5 am.
- Are you visiting your parents next weekend? — Will you visit your parents next weekend?
- I am not going to the party tonight. — I won't go to the party today.
6. Situation change (usually slow) - little by little, gradually etc.
- My son is getting better at playing the guitar.
- The weather is improving.
These were all the rules for the formation and use of the present continuous (the present progressive).
Hello! If you are interested in the rules of formation and use of time Present Continuous in English, then you have come to the right place! I will tell you what the Present Continuous tense is, I will explain the nuances of the formation and use of this tense, and also for clarity, I will give many examples.
What is Present Continuous Tense?
Present Continuous Tense is a temporary form of a verb that describes actions or states that are ongoing at the moment of speech. That is, Present Continuous Tense shows actions and states in progress! This is how it differs from the Present Simple Tense.
There is no equivalent in Russian for Present Continuous Tense. It provides only one tense form for the present tense, which expresses both shades of simple and continuous tense. Let's see this with an example:
- Present Continuous: You are speaking Spanish - You speak Spanish. (Meaning that you speak Spanish at this moment in time.)
- Present Simple: You speak Spanish. — You speak Spanish. (Meaning that you can speak Spanish at all.)
As you can see, in Russian the same verb form conveys different shades of the present tense. Time Present Continuous
Rules for the formation of Present Continuous Tense
The Present Continuous tense is complex. It is formed using an auxiliary verb to be in Present Simple Tense (am, are, is) and present participles of the main verb (verb ending -ing).
When forming the Present Participle, it is important to know the following rules:
- If the verb ends in an unpronounceable -e, then it is lowered:
to drive e- driving
to give e- giving
- If a verb ends in a consonant after a stressed syllable, the consonant is doubled:
sit − si tt ing
to stop - sto pp ing
to forget - forge tt ing
- If the verb ends in -l, preceded by a vowel, then -l always doubles (in the American version this rule is not observed).
to travel - travel ll ing
to fulfil - fulfi ll ing
- If the verb ends in -ie, That -ie changes to -y:
to l ie—l y ing
to d ie-d y ing
Formation of the affirmative form:
- subject + to be in Present Simple (am, are, is) + Present Participle of main verb (V + ing)
Formation of the interrogative form:
- to be in Present Simple (am, are, is) + subject + Present Participle of main verb (V + ing)
Formation of negative form:
- subject + to be in the Present Simple (am, are, is) + negation of not + Present Participle of the main verb (V + ing)
Conjugation table for the verb to starve in Present Continuous Tense
| Number | Face | Affirmative form | Question form | Negative form |
| Unit h. | 1
2 3 |
I am(I"m) starv ing
You are (You"re) starv ing He/She/It is (He's/ She's/ It's) starv ing |
Am I starv ing?
Are you starv ing? Is he/ she/ it starv ing? |
I am (I"m) not starv ing
You are not (aren't) starv ing He/She/It is not (isn"t) starv ing |
| Mn. h. | 1
2 3 |
We are (We"re) starv ing
You are (You"re) starv ing They are (They"re) starv ing |
Are we starv ing?
Are you starv ing? Are they starv ing? |
We are not (aren't) starv ing
You are not (aren't) starv ing They are not (aren't) starv ing |
I advise you to thoroughly learn this table as a cliche, where you will then substitute other verbs.
when can you use Present Continuous?Not all English verbs are used in the continuous tense. Verbs that denote desires, thoughts, states, feelings, as a rule, are not used in the Present Continuous form. You can find a more detailed list of such verbs in the article: Present Simple tense in English
Present Continuous Tense is used:
1. When expressing an action that is happening at the moment (now). Very often in such sentences there are time circumstances by which the Present Continuous Tense can be accurately determined. For example:
- now - now
- at the moment - at the moment
- Don’t you smell something is burning? - Don't you feel like something is burning?
- What are you talking about now? - What are you talking about now?
2. When expressing an action or state that lasts in the present tense (the action has already begun and has not yet ended), but not necessarily related to the given moment of speech:
- Sorry but I can’t lend you this book because I’m reading it myself. - Sorry, but I can’t lend you this book because... I’m reading it myself now.
- I’m studying at the university. — I study at the university.
3. When expressing any inclination or constant habit (usually negative). In such sentences, the verb expresses impatience or disapproval and is often accompanied by adverbs:
- always - always
- constantly - constantly
- all the time - all the time
- She is always coming too late! - She always comes too late!
- I’m constantly wearing with my teachers. — I constantly quarrel with my teachers.
4. When expressing actions planned for the near future. Verbs of motion are often used in such sentences:
- to come - go
- to move - to move
- to leave - to leave
- to stay - to stay
- to return - return
- to start - to start
and expressions:
- to have guests - to have guests
- to give a party - make a party
- I am giving a birthday party tomorrow. — Tomorrow I'm throwing a birthday party.
- They are leaving us this afternoon. “They are leaving us tonight.”
Pay attention!
The combination of the verb to go in the Present Continuous Tense with the infinitive form of another verb also expresses the intention to perform an action in the near future:
- Why are you going to change your flat? - Why are you going to change your apartment?
- I'm going to present him to my parents. “I’m going to introduce him to my parents.”
6. When expressing an action that occurs simultaneously with another action expressed in Present Simple Tense. That is, in the subordinate clause of time or condition after conjunctions.
Meaning of Continuous time and translation:
Continuous tenses denote actions that take place (have taken place, will take place) at a precisely specified time - present, past and future. Additional characteristics of such actions are their incompleteness, dynamism, and visibility. This can be seen from the comparison of infinitives:
To work - to work (Indefinite)
To be working – literally to be working (Continuous), i.e. shows the process as unfinished, ongoing.
For example, you can say. Our children read and Our children are reading. Both sentences translate as: Our children read.
But in the first case, Present Indefinite, you give only the most general idea: Our children read in the sense that they know how and love to read. At the moment of pronouncing these words, children may not dance, but learn lessons, play, dance.
But the sentence Our children are reading shows a specific picture of children reading: They are reading now.
The Continuous form is formed using the auxiliary verb to be.
Present Continuous
Present Continuous is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the present tense and the 4th main form of the verb.
| Affirmative form | Question form | Negative form |
|---|---|---|
| I am reading |
Am I reading? Am I reading? |
I am not reading |
|
He, she, it is reading He, she, it reads |
Is he, she, it reading? Does he, she, it read? |
He, she, it is not reading |
|
We are reading |
Are we reading? Are we reading? |
We are not reading |
|
You are reading |
Are you reading? Are you reading? |
You are not reading |
|
They are working |
Are they reading? They are reading |
They are not working |
Note 1:
It is worth noting that the singular and plural forms are the same.
You are asking. You ask.
You ask.
Note 2:
In spoken English, instead of full forms, abbreviated forms are usually used: isn’t, aren’t
Present Continuous is used in the following cases:
1. To express an action, an event occurring at the present moment in time or at the moment of speech. Shows that the action taking place at the present moment began before this moment and will continue after it.
An indication of time such as now (now), at the moment (at the moment) can be either expressed or implied.
She is answering (at this moment). She answers (currently)
She is studying at school (now). She is currently studying at school.
He is writing a letter. He is writing a letter now.
I'm sitting in the park. I'm sitting in the park.
Young woman is reading a book. Young woman reading a book.
2. To express a future action (similarly in Russian), when there is an intention to perform an action or confidence in its completion.
In this case, the future is indicated by the adverb: soon (soon), tomorrow (tomorrow), next week (next week).
Liza is arriving in Moscow soon. Lisa will soon arrive in Moscow.
They are leaving London tonight. They are leaving London today.
Note:
With state verbs:
To love (to love);
- to think (think);
- to want (to want);
- to live (to live);
- to be (life, to be);
- to feel (feel);
- to see (see);
- to know (to know);
- to remember (remember);
- to hear (hear);
- to stay (stay);
Present Continuous is not used.
The exception is the case when they want to show that a given condition is temporary.
How are you feeling? – Great. How do you feel? - Fabulous.
I know I'm being a stupid. But I don't know to do. I know I'm being stupid. But I don't know what to do.
Past Continuous
Past Continuous is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the past tense and the 4th main form of the verb.
| Affirmative form | Question form | Negative form |
|---|---|---|
| I was asking |
Was I asking? Did I ask? |
I was not asking |
|
He, she, it was asking |
Was he, she, it asking? Did he, she ask? |
He, she, it was not asking |
|
We were asking |
Were we asking? Did we ask? |
We were not asking |
|
You were asking |
Were you asking? Did you ask? |
You were not asking |
|
They were asking |
Were they asking? Did they ask? |
They were not asking |
Past Continuous is used in the following cases:
1. To express an action that took place (lasted) at a certain moment in the past, which is indicated either by a circumstance of time or by another action in the past. However, neither the beginning nor the end of the long-term action is known.
You were reading a book at 5 o’clock. You were reading a book at five o'clock.
You were reading a book when they came. I was reading a book when they arrived.
At weekend I was preparing for my exams. Over the weekend I studied for my exams.
2. To express a long-term action that took place during a certain period of time in the past (from five to six, all day long, the whole day yesterday)
I was writing letters the whole day yesterday. I wrote letters all day yesterday.
Important!
In this case, the beginning and end of the action are unknown, all that matters is that it lasted the entire specified period of time.
In both cases, 1 and 2 Past Continuous is used when it is necessary to emphasize the process of action itself, its duration.
If only the fact of the action is important, then Past Indefinite is used.
In addition, the Past Continuous can be used to express simultaneous actions that took place in the past at the same moment.
The children were playing in the yard while their mother was watching TV. The children were playing in the garden while the mother was watching TV.
As I was taking a shower, my girlfriend was cooking breakfast. While I was taking a shower, my girlfriend was preparing breakfast.
3. Past Continuous is used with verbs of motion to express a future action that is planned in the past and viewed from the point of view of the past.
My mom was glad that I was leaving for Moscow. My mother was glad that I was going to Moscow.
They said that I was returning the next week. They said I was coming back next week.
She wrote she was arriving on Sunday. She wrote that she was coming on Sunday.
Note 1:
The Past Continuous, like the Present Continuous, is usually not used with state verbs. State verbs are used in the Past Continuous only in cases where it is emphasized that this state is temporary.
Note 2:
The Past Continuous sometimes expresses a constant characteristic of someone in the past. In this case, the sentence contains the adverbs always, constantly.
He was always coming and staying for hours giving pointless advice and asking endless questions.
He always came and sat for hours, giving useless advice and asking endless questions.
Future Continuous
Future Continuous (Future Continuous) expresses a future action in the process of its completion, i.e. an unfinished long-term action. Formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the future tense and the 4th main form of the verb.
| Affirmative form | Question form | Negative form |
|---|---|---|
| I shall be speaking. I will speak. |
Shall I be speaking. Will I speak? |
I shall not be speaking. I won't talk. |
|
He, she, it will be speaking. She, she, it will speak. |
Will he, she, it be speaking? She, she, will it speak? |
He, she, it will not be speaking. She, she, it won't speak. |
|
You will be speaking. You will talk. |
Will you be speaking? Will you speak? |
You will not be speaking. You won't speak. |
|
We shall be speaking. We will talk. |
Shall we be speaking? Are we going to talk? |
We shall not be speaking. We won't talk. |
|
They will be speaking. They will talk. |
Will they be speaking? Will they talk? |
They will not be speaking. They won't talk. |
Future Continuous is used:
1. To express a continuous action that will begin before a certain moment in the future and will still continue, last at that moment. This may be indicated by the circumstance of time (at that moment, at six o’clock, at midnight)
At seven o'clock tomorrow she will be having exam. Tomorrow at seven o'clock she will take the exam.
If you ring him up at midnight, she won’t answer. She will be sleeping. If you call her at midnight, she won't answer. She will sleep.
2. To express a long-term action that will be performed at a certain period of time in the future.
Don’t call my friend tonight between 7 and 11. She will be wring a letter. Don't call my friend between 7 and 11 o'clock. She will write a letter.
I shall be reading the whole day tomorrow. Tomorrow I will read all day.
3. To express the intention to perform an action in the future or confidence in its completion.
I shall be reading tonight. I'm going to read this evening.
She will be visiting me tomorrow. She's going to visit me tomorrow.
Remember, at school, in the third grade, the English teacher showed you pictures in which people were busy with various useful things, and asked in English: “What is he doing?” And you answered: “He reads,” “He helps his mother,” or “He builds a birdhouse.” This is where acquaintance with the Present Continuous ended for many of us.
Present Continuous, or present continuous tense, one of the basic tenses of the English language, starting from which you will build your system of tenses.
First we will look at how the forms of this time are formed.
To form a statement, we need two components: auxiliary verb to be (am/ is / are - depending on the subject) and ending verb-ING.
|
Statement |
||
|
Ving: |
||
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Negation |
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| NOT |
Ving: |
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|
General question |
|||
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Ving: |
? | ||
* information question with the word When? is not given in Present Continuous, since the form itself to be + Ving indicates that the action occurs at the moment of speech, therefore, the question about time does not make sense.
At all times of the group Continuous and in all types of utterances there is an auxiliary verb to be and a semantic verb ending -ING.
How an ending is added -ING to verbs? When this ending is added to a verb, the spelling of the verb changes. There are several rules that you have to remember:
|
For most verbs that end in a consonant after two vowels or two consonants, the ending is added unchanged |
speak - speaking point - pointing |
||
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If the verb ends in a silent E, then it is dropped and the ending ING is added |
|||
|
For verbs that end in Y, the ending is added without changes |
study - studying |
||
|
If the verb ends in a closed stressed syllable, the final consonant is doubled |
|||
|
travel - travelling |
Verbs that end in L preceded by a vowel double the L when the ending is added. This rule applies to British English; in American English L is not doubled. |
quarrel - quarrelling marvel - marvelling model - modeling |
|
|
If a verb ends in R in a stressed syllable, then R is doubled |
prefer - preferring |
||
|
Exceptions |
There are a number of exceptions to remember |
agree - agreeing |
Now let's look at the use cases Present Continuous.
1. Action that occurs at the moment of speech. (Action in progress at the moment of speaking)
Present Continuous is used to express an action that occurs at the moment of speech, often before our eyes, that is, we can observe the process.
At the moment of speaking the following are indicated: time indicators: now(Now), at the moment(at present), still(still). Time indicators now And at the moment may not be used, because the form itself to be + Ving indicates that the action is happening right now, at the time of speech.
In addition, words that serve to attract attention (look, listen, be careful, etc.), indicate that an action is taking place at the moment of speech.
Look! She is dancing! - Look! She's dancing!
Jim is still doing his homework. - Jim is still doing his homework.
Be careful! The ladder is falling! - Carefully! The stairs are falling!
2. Temporary actions and states
States are those actions that seem to be in process at the moment of speech, but we cannot see them. For example: live, work, study.
By using the Present Continuous in this sense, you are saying: “I’m doing it now, but it’s temporary, I don’t usually do it. When the action is completed, everything will return to its place.".
Pointers: today, this week, these days, tonight, at present.
I’m living at my friend’s while my flat is being redecorated. - I’m staying with a friend while my apartment is being renovated. (This is a temporary action, the repairs will be completed and I will return to my apartment)
He likes science fiction but this month he is reading historical novels as it’s the topic of this month. - He loves science fiction, but this month he is reading historical novels because that is the theme of this month. (The action is temporary, the topic will end and he will read science fiction again)
She is working as a secretary these days. - Currently she works as a secretary. (This is not a permanent job)
3. Changing or developing situations
If you are observing a process and see changes taking place, then you should use Present Continuous. Often used with paired comparative adjectives: more and more, better and better.
It is becoming colder and colder. - It's getting colder and colder.
The flowers are becoming more and more beautiful. - The flowers are becoming more and more beautiful.
It is getting hotter. I will have a break. - It's getting hotter. I'll take a break.
4. Plans and agreements. (Arrangements)
The Present Continuous also has a future meaning. It can denote personal plans and arrangements for the near future. Often with place and time indicators. In Russian, we use the present tense in the same way to express a future action that we have planned:
Mr. Smith is leaving tomorrow at 11.00. - Mr. Smith leaves tomorrow at 11.00.
I am taking my exam tomorrow so I am studying tonight. - I'm taking an exam tomorrow, so I'm studying tonight.
We are meeting the manager tomorrow at 10 o’clock. - We are meeting with the manager tomorrow at 10 o'clock.
5. At the beginning of the story to create atmosphere. (Setting the scene)
If you are going to tell a story, you can use the Present Continuous to create the setting, to allow the listener to imagine the situation. You can use the word Imagine(imagine).
Present Simple is used to describe main events.
He is walking through the dark forest. It is raining and the wind is blowing. - He walks through the dark forest. It's raining and the wind is blowing.
Imagine: you are in the garden. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. - Imagine: you are in the garden. The sun is shining and the birds are singing.
6. Frequently repeated actions to convey irritation or surprise (Annoying or surprising actions)
Always is considered a typical Present Simple indicator, but this adverb can be used with the Present Continuous to express an action that is repeated too often: constantly, all the time. Such actions either irritate us or surprise us.
Except always, can be used constantly And continuously.
My sister is always leaving her dirty dishes on the table. - My sister always leaves dirty dishes on the table.
You are constantly interrupting me! - You interrupt me all the time!
I am always meeting you in this shop. - I meet you in this store all the time.
Comparative characteristics Present Simple And Present Continuous you will find .
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Affirmative form
Subject + to be (am, is, are) + Present Participle (infinitive without to with ending -ing)
1. I am typing a message - I am writing a message (now).
- typing – infinitive type + ending -ing
2. Boris is playing the piano now - Boris is now playing the piano.
- playing – infinitive play + ending -ing
- now (now) – a word denoting the moment of speech
3. We are watching the football match - We are watching a football match (now).
- watching – infinitive watch + ending -ing
Negative form
Subject + to be (am, is, are) + not + Present Participle (infinitive without to with ending -ing)
1. I am not having a bath - I am not taking a bath (now).
- am – auxiliary verb to be
- not – negative particle
- having – infinitive have + ending -ing
2. It is not snowing - It’s not snowing (now)
- is – auxiliary verb to be
- not – negative particle
- snowing – infinitive snow + ending -ing
3. My parents are not sleeping - My parents are not sleeping (now).
- are – auxiliary verb to be
- not – negative particle
- sleeping – infinitive sleep + ending -ing
Question form
to be (am, is, are) + subject + Present Participle (infinitive without to with ending -ing)
1. Is he cutting bread now? – Is he cutting bread now? (general question)
- is – auxiliary verb to be stands on first
- cutting – infinitive cut + ending -ing
2. Is the plane taking off right now? – Is the plane taking off right now?
- is – auxiliary verb to be stands on first place to formulate a question
- taking – infinitive take + ending -ing
3. Why are you shouting at him? - Why are you yelling at him? (special question)
- are – auxiliary verb to be worth after question word why and before subject to
- shouting – infinitive shout + ending -ing
#2 Cases of using the Present Continuous
1. Long-lasting action, which occurs at the moment of speech.
- The cat is playing with its tail - The cat is playing with its tail. (now, at the moment)
- Don't make a noise, Mary is work ing– Don’t make noise, Maria is working.
2. Long lasting action continues now, but not necessarily at the moment of speech.
- I "m looking for a book the Codex Leicester - I am looking for the book “Leicester Codex.” (a person is looking for a book, but not at the time of speech. The action has begun, but has not yet ended)
Present Continuous shows what at the present time Human looking for this book, but usually (at all) he doesn’t do this.
In this case, the Present Simple is not used, since the meaning of such a sentence would be different.
I often buy history books - I often buy historical books. (Present Simple expresses action, which usually happens in general. In this case, it is assumed that the person usually buys historical books).
A few more similar examples.
- Have you heard about John? He is writing a book about bodybuilding – Have you heard about John? He is writing a book about bodybuilding. (currently, but not at the moment of speaking)
- My brother is working on a new online shop – My brother is working on a new online store. (currently, but not at the moment of speaking)
3. Action Expression in the future when it comes about intention or pre-planned action.
- We are going to the cinema tonight - Tonight we are going to the cinema.
- Our manager is leaving London tomorrow - Our manager is leaving London tomorrow.
4. With words always(Always), constantly(constantly), etc. Present Continuous expresses an action that is repeated again and again. Usually in such sentences the speaker expresses impatience, disapproval.
- He is always losing his keys! – He always loses his keys!
- Why are you always criticizing her? – Why do you always criticize her?
- She is constantly stealing our images – She constantly steals our images.
5. Present Continuous is used to show change in situation or trend.
- The weather is improving - The weather is improving.
- The climate is changing rapidly - The climate is changing rapidly.
- The cars are becoming more and more expensive – Cars are becoming more and more expensive.
#3 Turnover TO BE GOING TO
The verb to go in the Present Continuous + the infinitive forms a phrase to be going to, which matters I'm going to, I intend to.
- I am going to work with them – I am going to work with them.
- She is going to complain to the manager about your behavior - She is going to complain to the manager about your behavior.
- How long are you going to wait for him? – How long are you going to wait for him?
- We are going to invite her - We are going to invite her.
#4 Verbs that not used in Present Continuous
The verbs listed below are not used during the time of the group Continuous. As a rule, these verbs are used in tenses of the Indefinite group. This is explained by the fact that these verbs reflect feelings and states, not actions.
For example:
- I am wanting some coffee(wrong)
- I want some coffee (correct)
Feeling/perception
Opinion
State of mind
|
Emotions/desires
Measurement
Other
|
*ExceptionsVerbs of perception (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) usually used with can: I can see... - I see... These verbs can also be used in the Continuous, but with a different meaning.
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