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Unit 4 Present continuous and Simple Present (2) (I am doing and I do)https://arabicdailynews12.blogspot.com/2024/02/ameen-sayani-beloved-indian-radio.html



A)

We can 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     realize       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?
  • Kim doesn't seem very happy right now.
When think means "believe," do not use the continuous:
  • What ho 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 quitting my job. ( = I am considering)

When have mean "possess," etc, do not use the continuous:
  • We're enjoying our trip. We have a nice room in the hotel. (not We're having)
  • but   We're enjoying our trip. We're having a great time.
                                                                                            

B)

     See       hear      smell      taste 
We normally use the simple present ( not continuous ) with these verbs:
  • Do you see that man over there?( not Are you seeing)
  • This room semlls. Let's open a window.
We often use can + see / hear /smell  / teste:
  • Listen! Can you hear something?
  • I'm seeing the manger tomorrow morning.
                                                                                     

C)

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 selfish 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 simple present or continuous to say how somebody look or feel now:
You look good today. or You're looking good 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)



























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