Some verbs indicate a permanent state and cannot be used in the

continuous tenses.

1. Verbs that show our senses: feel, hear,

see, smell, sound, taste, look (like)
These flowers smell lovely.
This soup tastes awful!

2. Verbs which describe states of mind: know,

understand, think, remember, forget, suppose, appear,
believe, realize, notice, mean, seem, doubt, imagine, realize, prefer,
consider, depend, hope, guess,
She seems to be very good at her job.
Do you know her?
I think he’s right.

3. Verbs which describe emotion: like, dislike, love, hate, detest, wish,
fear, want, need,
He loves Mexican food.
I want a glass of water.

4. Verbs which show a permanent state: be, belong to, owe, cost,
contain, deserve, fit, have, own, remain, possess, measure, weigh,
Does this car belong to you?
I own this company.
Some of the above verbs can be used in the continuous form, but then they
change meaning.

I can see you. (I have the ability. Permanent state)

I’m seeing my dentist today. (Visiting. Activity)
The roses smell nice. (They have a nice smell. Permanent state)
Why are you smelling the meat? (Sniffing)
This cake tastes delicious. (It’s well made. Permanent state)
She is tasting that cake mixture. (Eating a little to try it)
It feels like silk. (I can touch it)
I am not feeling very well. (Being unwell)
e. I have a book. (Possess)
I’m having a party.
Do you like my new dress? (Is it nice?)
How are you liking our party? (Are you enjoying it?)
I think he’s abroad. (Suppose, believe)
I’m thinking about your plan. (Considering)
Use the present simple or present continuous.

1. This bag _______________ to Mrs. Davis. (belong)

2. Mary can’t come to the phone. She ________________ a shower. (have)
3. _________________ that girl’s name? (you/remember)
4. Listen! Mary ________________ the piano. (play)
5. That’s impossible! You _________________ (lie)
6. I __________________ the meaning of this word. (not/understand)
7. He _________________ comedies. (not/like)
8. These flowers _________________ nice. (smell)
9. __________________ the doctor right now? (he/see)
10. I never __________________ my wife’s birthday. (forget)
11. How many cars ___________________ ?(he/own)
12. What ____________________ at the moment? (you/do)
13. Why ____________________ at me like that? (you/look)
14. You __________________ sad. (look)
15. She __________________ English grammar is easy. (think)
16. I __________________ the bump on my head. (feel)
17. Jim __________________ to the teacher at the moment. (talk)
18. The baby is so small. She ___________________3 kilos yet. (not/weigh)
19. ___________________ something burning? (you/smell)
20. I have a stomach-ache. I __________________ pizza. (not/want)
21. I need a holiday. I __________________ about a trip to France. (think)
22. I ___________________ for my keys. (look)
23. She ___________________ about how to solve the problem. (think)
24. __________________ that boat over there? (you see)
25. This _________________ like real chocolate. (not/taste)
26. Anna _________________ lunch at the moment. (have)
27. It __________________ to be a tough problem. (seem)
28. I _________________ anything about your case.(not/know)