Present Continuous and Present Simple

A. We can use the present continuous with some state verbs (e.g. attract, like, look, love, sound) when we want to emphasise that a situation is temporary or for a period of time around the present.

Compare:

1. Jean stays with us quite often. The children love having her here.
2. Jean's 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:

1. The new treatment for influenza doesn't appear to work. (appear: state = seem)
2. Madonna is currently appearing in a musical on Broadway./ She often appears in musicals. (appear: action = take part)
3. Do you think it's a good idea? (think: state = about an opinion)
4. I'm thinking of going in August./ Your trouble is you think too much. (think: action = consider)

Other verbs like this include anticipate, cost, expect, feel, fit, 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:

1. I regret that the company will have to be sold.=( I have made the decision and I am sorry about it)
2. I'm regretting my decision to give her the job.=( I am increasingly aware that it was the wrong decision)

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 preferences and mental states (e.g. agree, believe, conclude, know, prefer) are rarely used with the present continuous: I believe you now. (not I'm believing you now.)

D. We use the present simple with verbs which perform the action they describe:

1. I admit I can't see as well as I used to.
2. We apologise for not replying earlier.

Other verbs like this (sometimes called performatives) include acknowledge, advise, beg, confess, congratulate, declare, deny, forbid, guarantee, name, order, permit, predict, promise, refuse, remind, request, thank, warn. Some verbs used as performatives in affirmative =( positive) sentences (apologise, deny, guarantee, promise, suggest) 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.

Note that we can use modals with performatives, often to make what we say more tentative or polite:

1. We would advise you to arrive two hours before the flight leaves.
2. I must beg you to keep this a secret.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Language Level