Non-Continuous Verbs

By Kenneth Beare
English as 2nd Language Expert
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Many verbs are used in continuous tenses. Here are some examples:
Present continuous - I'm working at the moment.
Past continuous - Jack was cooking dinner when I arrived.
Future continuous - I will be playing tennis this time tomorrow.
Present perfect continuous - She's been working here for three years.
Generally, continuous (or progressive) tenses are used to describe what is happening at a
particular moment in time. The focus when using continuous tenses is always on an action in
progress. However, there are some important exceptions to using continuous tenses. Most
importantly, there are a number of common non-continuous verbs that are never or rarely used
with continuous forms. These verbs fall into a few categories:
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Mental and Emotional States

believe
dislike
doubt
imagine
know
like
love
hate
prefer
realize
recognize
remember
suppose
understand
want
wish
Examples
She dislikes that boy. NOT She is disliking that boy.
Jack prefers going out for dinner tonight. NOT Jack is preferring going out for dinner tonight.
I recognize you! NOT I'm recognizing you!
Sense
appear
hear
see

seem
smell
sound
taste
Examples
I saw him when the train arrived. NOT I was seeing him when the train arrived.
It tastes strange. NOT It is tasting strange.
Did you hear that? NOT Were you hearing that?
Communication
agree
astonish
deny
disagree
impress
mean
please
promise
satisfy
surprise
Examples
You astonish me! NOT You are astonishing me!
I'm afraid I disagree with you. NOT I'm afraid I am disagreeing with you.
I meant to tell him yesterday afternoon. NOT I was meaning to tell him yesterday afternoon.
Other States
be
belong
concern
consist
contain
cost
depend
deserve
fit
include

involve
lack
matter
need
owe
own
possess
Examples
It depends on how much it costs. NOT It is depending on how much it is costing.
She said it involved a lot of work. NOT She said it was involving a lot of work.
It doesn't matter. NOT It isn't mattering.
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There are also a number of verbs that don't take the continuous forms in one meaning but DO
take the continuous forms in other meanings. Here are some of the most important:
Non-Continuous Meanings
feel = 'have an opinion' - He feels he should get a second chance.
see = 'understand' - I see what you mean.
think = 'have an opinion' - I think we should leave immediately.
appear = 'look like' - That appears to be stale.
look = 'seem' - It looks impossible!
taste = 'have a taste' - That tastes yummy!
Continuous Meanings
feel = 'feel physically' - I'm feeling awful this afternoon.
see = 'visit' - She's seeing a doctor this morning.
think = 'use the brain' - He's thinking hard about the problem.

appear = 'be on stage / perform' - Jack Daniels is performing at the Paramount tonight.
look = 'stare at' - I'm looking at that strange man.
taste = 'use the mouth' - The cook is tasting the sauce!
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