Stative (state) verbs in the continuous form

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Some verbs used in the simple form can also be used in the continuous form. That's typically when they have an active meaning or emphasize change. Very often these sentences have a completely different meaning:

Verb Form Verb Example Meaning
Simple
 to think I think you should see a doctor opinion
Continuous
 to be thinking I'm thinking of changing my flat trying to reach a decision
Simple
 to love I love going to the cinema feeling
Continuous
 to be loving You look great in this hat. I'm loving it, man!
 emphasis or gradual process
Simple
 to smell I smell something burning sense
Continuous
 to be smelling My baby was smelling a flower activity
Simple
 to have He's really rich — he has 3 cars possession
Continuous
 to be having When you called me, I was having a bath activity
Simple
 to see I can see you have a big garden sense
Continuous to be seeing I'm seeing him later appointment
Simple to taste I could taste a lot of sugar in the wine sense
Continuous to be tasting He was tasting the cake and said it was OK activity

Keep in mind there is a group of verbs that can be used in both the continuous and simple forms with no difference. These are, for example, the verbs "to hurt" and "to feel":

  • How is Maryfeeling after the accident?
  • How does she feelafter the accident?

Comments

Submitted by Aaron (not verified) on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 07:36.

I.ve never come across such good explanations before.

Submitted by maggie- on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:51.

Easy and Clear explaination !

Submitted by Águeda (not verified) on Fri, 04/23/2010 - 22:10.

I want to glad you for such cler explanation

Submitted by Swapna (not verified) on Tue, 09/28/2010 - 22:24.

Simple, to the point, and an area where most ESL make mistakes. Thank you!

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