Summary 3-3
What phrases do you know to use instead of yes or no?
| Yes | No | ||
| that's right | definitely | not really | definitely not |
| that's true | you're right | that's not true | I don't think so |
| (I'm) sure | I think so | surely not | I'm afraid not |
| absolutely | I'd like to | absolutely not |
Continuous Tenses
Continuous tenses are used whenever we are talking about a period of time. They show an action as a process.
Action and state verbs
| VERBS can express either | |
| Action | State |
| something happens (). # decide, go, jump, listen, run, speak, work. | something remains the same (). # like, believe, understand, see, hear, taste* |
| * Note: With verbs of perception ( ) (feel, hear, see, smell, taste) you often use can/could: # I could hear the waves on the beach. Can you smell burning? | |
| You use action verbs in the simple or continuous form, depending on the situation: # I often go to the cinema. # Where are you going? # Stan read fifteen books last month. # Yesterday I was reading a book. |  You use the simple form (not the continuous) with most state verbs**:
# This medication contains caffeine.
NOT This medication is containing caffeine;
# Do you need anything?
NOT Are you needing anything?
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| **Note: It's possible that you'll hear native speakers using other state verbs in the continuous form. However, if you want to be sure you don't make mistakes, it's probably best to follow these rules. | |
| NB1: You can use the simple or continuous form with some state verbs when there is no difference in meaning. These verbs are feel, ache and hurt. # I'm feeling a bit depressed. OR I feel a bit depressed. # My head's aching. OR My head aches. # My tummy's hurting. OR My tummy hurts. | |
| NB2: Some verbs can have both a state and an action meaning. You use the simple form (not the continuous) when they have stative meaning: # I think (= believe) Martin is a handsome guy. I am thinking about Martin. (. Action and State Verbs) |
| State | Action |
| I have (= own) a small house. (, ) | I'm having lunch/a bath/a great time. ( ) |
| I think (= believe) you're right. ( ) | What are you thinking about now? () |
| I feel (= have an opinion) it's the right thing to do. ( ) | I'm feeling a bit depressed. ( ) |
| He looks (= seems) happy. () | What's the cat looking at? ( -) |
| He appears (= seems) to be happy. () | He's appearing on several chat shows today. () |
| I see (= understand) the problem. () | Are you seeing the doctor this morning? () |
| I weigh about 52 kilos. () | I'm just weighing the ingredients. ( -) |
| The room measures 10 metres by 5 metres. ( ) | Pete's measuring himself. He's growing fast. () |
| This meat smells bad. (, ) | I'm smelling the milk to see if it's gone off. () |
| It tastes like water but it's lemonade. ( ) | She's tasting the soup in case it needs more salt. () |
| I don't care what you say ( ) | She's caring for the sick in Calcutta at the moment. ( -) |
Practice:
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Choose the best option, A or B. If both options are possible, choose both.
a. Oh, no! Last week I.......... 50 kilos. This week it's 56!
A weighed B was weighing
b. Jane.......... a letter when I called in to see her.
A wrote B was writing
c. These kids.......... too much noise.
A make B are making
d. Why on earth.......... at me like that? Is there something on my face?
A do you look B are you looking
e. Billy.......... a word his teacher said this morning.
A wasn't understanding B didn't understand
f. Jo.......... a house in Milan.
A has B is having
g. Anthony.......... amazed when I told him the news.
A looked B was looking
h. I.......... this headline! 'Man bites dog' - it sounds absurd.
A am not believing B don't believe
i. We.......... someone to love.
A are all needing B all need
j. Sarah says she.......... a bit sick this morning.
A feels B is feeling
Grammar Homework for the 29-th of September
Review Continuous Rules
2. Learn State/Action Verbs rules by heart
