Understanding Non-continuous Verbs

It is important to understand that not all verbs can be used in the continuous form. We will refer to these verbs as non-continuous verbs.

Another thing to remember about verbs and the continuous forms is that some verbs that can be used in both the present simple and perfect forms and also in the continuous tenses have two different meanings. An easy way to remember what continuous tenses are is to remember that verbs conjugate in either the past, present or future continuous end in -ING.

Verbs that are physical actions which you can see someone doing can be used in all forms and with all tenses; run, walk, eat, read, fly, say, touch etc. can be used in all tenses.

Non-continuous Verbs

Non-continuous verbs; verbs that cannot be used in continuous forms are usually verbs that you cannot see somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in continuous forms. They are:

Abstract verbs Be, want, cost, need, care, contain, owe, exist etc.

Possession verbs Own, belong, possess etc.

Emotion Verbs Like, love, hate, dislike, fear, envy etc.;

Here are some examples of a verb that is used in the present simple, but cannot be used in the present or past continous.

• He wants a break. NOT He is wanting a break.
• She needs help. NOT She is needing help.

Verbs with different meanings

There is a small group of verbs that have different meanings. Some meanings behave like non-continuous verbs while other meanings behave like normal verbs.

Here is a list of verbs that have different meanings when used in the continuous forms/tenses;

to appear

Sarah appears confused. Non-Continuous Verb

Sarah seems confused.

My favourite singer is appearing at the jazz club tonight. Normal Verb

My favourite singer is giving a performance at the jazz club tonight.

to have

I have a pound now. Non-Continuous Verb

I possess a pound.

I am having fun now. Normal Verb

I am experiencing fun now.

to hear

She hears the music. Non-Continuous Verb

She hears the music with her ears.

She is hearing voices. Normal Verb

She hears something others cannot hear. She is hearing voices in her mind.

to look

Tess looks tired. Non-Continuous Verb

She seems tired.

Jane is looking at the pictures. Normal Verb

She is looking with her eyes.

to miss

John misses Sarah. Non-Continuous Verb

He is sad because she is not there.

Alison is missing her favourite TV program. Normal Verb

She is not there to see her favourite program.

to see

I see her. Non-Continuous Verb

I see her with my eyes.

I am seeing the doctor. Normal Verb

I am visiting or consulting with a doctor.

I am seeing her. Normal Verb

I am having a relationship with her.

He is seeing ghosts at night. Normal Verb

He sees something others cannot see. For example a vision of the future, etc.

to smell

The coffee smells good. Non-Continuous Verb

The coffee has a good smell.

I am smelling the flowers. Normal Verb

I am sniffing the flowers to see what their smell is like.

to taste

The coffee tastes good. Non-Continuous Verb

The coffee has a good taste.

I am tasting the wine. Normal Verb

I am trying the wine to see what it tastes like.

to think

He thinks the test is easy. Non-Continuous Verb

He considers the test to be easy.

She is thinking about the question. Normal Verb

She is pondering the question, going over it in her mind.

to weigh

The case weighs a lot. Non-Continuous Verb

The case is heavy.

She is weighing herself. Normal Verb

She is determining her weight.

Verbs that cause confusion

to be

Only rarely is “to be” used in a continuous form. This is most commonly done when a person is temporarily behaving badly or stereotypically. It can also be used when someone’s behaviour is noticeably different.

Bob is American. Non-Continuous Verb

Bob is a citizen of America.

Bob is being very American. Normal Verb

Bob is behaving like a stereotypical American.

Bob is being very rude. Normal Verb

Bob is behaving very rudely. Usually he is not rude.

Bob is being very formal. Normal Verb

Bob is behaving very formally. Usually he is not formal.

to feel

The second meaning of “feel” is very flexible and there is no real difference in meaning between “I don’t feel well today” and “I am not feeling well today.”

The massage feels great. Non-Continuous Verb

The massage has a pleasing feeling.

I don’t feel well today. Sometimes used as Non-Continuous Verb

I am a little sick.

I am not feeling well today. Sometimes used as Normal Verb

I am a little sick.

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