Present continuous and present simple part1
A:
We can use the Present continuous with some state verbs(e.g. attract, like, look, love, sound) when we want to emphasis that a situation is temporary or for a period of time around the present .
Compare :
Jean stays with us quite often . the children love having her here.
Jean' s with us at the moment . the children are loving having her here.
State verbs witch we rarely use with the Present continuous include believe , consist of , doubt , own.
B:
some verbs have different meaning when they are used to talk about states and when they describe actions. With their 'state' meanings , they usually take simple rather than continuous forms. With their 'action' meaning , they may take simple or continuous forms , depending on context .
Compare:
The new treatment for influenza doesn't appear to work.
Madonna is currently appearing in a musical on Broadway.
Do you think it’s a good idea ?
I'm thinking of going in august.
Other verbs like this include anticipate , cost , expect , feel , fir , have , imagine , measure ,weigh.
C:
with some verbs describing mental states(e.g. find, realise , regret , think , understand ) we can use the present continuous to emphasise that we have recently started to think about something or that we are not sure about something
Compare:
I regret that the company will have to be sold.
I'm regretting my decision to give her the job.
When it means 'think carefully about' the verb consider is only used with the present continuous:
He's considering taking early retirement .(not he considers taking early retirement .)
Some other verbs describing presences and mental states.(e.g. agree , believe , conclude , know, prefer)are rarely used with the present continuous:
I believe you now.
D:
we use the present simple with verbs which perform the action they describe :
I admit I can't see as well as I used to.
We apologize for not replying earlier.
Other verbs like this(sometimes called performatives )include acknowledge ,advise , beg , refuse ,remind , request , thank , warn ,confess, congratulate , declare , deny , forbid , guarantee , name , order, permit, promise .some verbs used as perreformative in affirmative sentence have a similar meaning with either the present simple or the present continuous in negative sentences:
I don't deny/I'm not denying taking the books, but Andy said it would be okay.