Some of the verbs below are used in continuous tenses JUST WHEN THEY “describe actions and not

states”.

SIMPLE PRESENT PRESENT CONTINUOUS

She is very polite. (= character- permanent state) He is being very nice. (= he is behaving)
1 I think his car is fantastic. (= I believe) l'm thinking about going to Germany. (= I am considering)
They have (got) a sailing boat (= they possess) They are having a good time. (= they are enjoying themselves)
Your mother looks very young (= she appears to be) The mechanic is looking at my motorcycle. (= he is
I can see a flock of birds in the sky (= I use my eyes) checking/examining)
I see what you mean. (= I understand) Are you seeing your brother tomorrow? (= are you meeting?)
This scarf feels like silk. (= it has the texture of) You're seeing things/There's no one in the house.
This sandwich tastes delicious. (= it has a delicious flavor) t= you are imagining)
Your hair smells nice. (= it has a nice smell) Mum is feeling Jo 's forehead (= she is touching)
She appears to be very upset (= she seems) She's tasting the sauce to see if it's OK (= she is testing the flavor)
Those trousers fit you perfectly (= they are the right size) She's smelling the roses. (= she is sniffing)
My brother's band is appearing at the Maddison Square.
(= they are performing)
Sue is fitting new cupboards in her kitchen. (= she is putting)
Exercise 1 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense, Present Simple or Present Continuous.
1Her new perfume ________________(smell) like spring flowers.
2 Peter _______________ (see) his girlfriend tonight.
3 Have you seen Mary's new haircut? It ___________________(look) great.
4 Did you put sugar in the coffee? It__________________(taste) bitter.
5 You haven't said a word. What ________________(think) about?
6 My mother _____________________ (listen) to her favorite radio programme right now.
7 My brother ______________________(not/enjoy) going to the cinema.
8 ____________________ (you/know) what time the concert starts?
9 She speaks French but she _______________________ (come) from Spain
10 The green grocer _________________________ (weigh) the grapes now.
11 I _________________________ (feel) depressed every time I hear that song.
12 Why ___________________ (you/taste) the tomato sauce?
Exercise 2 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense, Present Simple or Present Continuous.
A: Can I help you, sir?
B: Yes, please. (1) __________________(look) for a birthday present for my wife.
A: I see. What kind of things (2)_________________ (she/like)? B: Oh, she (3)__________________(enjoy) reading books on interior
decorating and she (4)_______________(love) listening to latin music.
A: How about this book then? It (5)_______________(have) over a hundred pages of differ ways to decorate your home and lots of pictures,
too.
B: I (6)________________(not/know) about that. Is there anything else you could show me?
A: Well, sir. I (7)_____________________ (believe) this set of CD's with Latin bands is an excellent choice. Your wife will enjoy it very much.
B: How much is it?
A: lt (8)_________________(cost) $25. They're on special offer. B: Okay, then. I just (9)_________________(hope) she won't
play the music too loud because I (10)__________________ (hate) Latin music!
Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple or the present continuous.
1 A: Michael …………………………… (be) very quiet today. Is anything wrong?
B: No, I don't think so.
2 A: These towels ………………………….. (feel) as soft as silk.
B: I've just washed them.
3 A: We …………………………… (think) of moving back to England.
B: Really? When?
4 A: Where's Andrew? We can't find him anywhere.
B: It …………………………… (look) as if he's disappeared.
5 A: What perfume are you wearing?
B It …………………………… (smell) lovely.