State=stative=non-action verbs
Some verbs rarely appear in the continuous tenses (any: Past, Present, Future). These verbs express a permanent state and they are: appear (= seem), be, believe, belong, cost, feel, forget, hate, have (= possess), know, like, love, mean, need, prefer, realise, remember, see, seem, smell, sound, suppose, taste, think, understand, want, etc.
e.g. I understand it now. NOT I am understanding it now.
Some of these verbs can be used in continuous tenses but with a difference in meaning.
Compete this task in order to check yourself. Put the verbs in brackets into the Present Simple or the Present Continuous.
1. A: I … (see) you still have a toothache.
B: Yes, I do. Actually, I … (see) my dentist later
2. A: I … (think) of visiting Jim this afternoon.
B: Don’t bother. I … (think) he’s on a business trip.
3. A: Why … … (Greg/be) so rude today?
B: I have no idea. He … (be) usually very polite.
4. A: Why … (you/taste) the sauce? Does it need more pepper?
B: No. It … (taste) great the way it is.
5. A: Why … (you/smell) the milk?
B: Because it … (smell) off. We should throw it away.
6. A: I see you … (have) a new mobile phone.
B: Yes, but I … (have) trouble understanding how it works.
7. A: Susan … (look) at some photos.
B: Molly … (look) pretty today.
8. A: Your new French perfume … (smell) so nice.
B: Jane … (smell) the lilies in the garden.
