Unit 1 – Present continuous and present simple 1
A – State verbs
We can use the present continuous with some state verbs (e.g. attract, like, look, love, sound) to emphasise that a situation is temporary or for a period of time around the present. Compare:
◌ Ella stays with us quite often. The children love having her here.
◌ Ella is with us at the moment. The children are loving having her here.
State verbs which we rarely use with the present continuous include believe, consist of, doubt, own.
b
Some verbs have different meanings 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’ meanings, they may take simple or continuous forms, depending on context. Compare:
◌ The app doesn’t appear to work on my phone. (appear: state = seem)
◌ Carley Robb is currently appearing in a musical on Broadway. She often appears in musicals. (appear: action = take part)
Also: cost, expect, feel, fit, have, imagine, measure, think, weigh