Time expressions often used with Present Continuous

a) Usually after the auxiliary “to be”: always, still, currently, constantly, and continually.

b) Usually at the end of a sentence: at present, at the moment, now, these days, nowadays, today, tonight.

Note:

State verbs, which denote a state rather than an action do not normally have continuous tenses. These include:

Appearance: appear, resemble, seem;

Composition: consist of, contain, have;

Connection: come from, concern, cast, fit, suit;

Likes and dislikes: like, love, dislike, hate, energy, fancy, prefer, adore, etc.

Needs and wants: need, want, wish;

Possession: belong to, have, own, owe, possess;

Existence: be, exist;

Opinion and perception: know, believe, expect (=think), understand, realize, remember, forget, notice, recognize, think, see (=understand) doubt, imagine, suppose;

Senses: see, hear, smell, taste, look, sound, feel.

We often use “can/could” with these verbs when we refer to what we see, hear, etc. at the moment of speaking: I can see a house in the picture. I can hear sounds.

Other verbs: matter, mean, require, weigh, keep (=continue), depend, lack, include, live.

• We can use the verbs underlined in the list above in the continuous, but with a change of meaning.

She has a big car (=possession). – She is having an operation/ a good time/ a meal/ a bath (=actively involved in).

They think it’s too expensive (=opinion). – They are thinking of buying a cheaper car (=considering).

I feel what we did was wrong (=opinion). – I am feeling exhausted (=physical reaction).

Do you see what I mean? (=understand). – Are you seeing a lot of Mary nowadays? (=spending time with her).

She appears to be very upset (=seems). – The Blues Band is appearing at the Odeon on Saturday (=performing)

You are so noisy. (permanent characteristic) – You are being noisy today (temporary characteristic)

• Verbs which describe physical reactions can be used both in a simple and continuous form with no change of meaning: I feel sick=I am feeling sick. My feet ache=My feet are aching. My leg hurts= My leg is hurting.

Practice Present Simple and Present Continuous