Adults|Grammar|Intermediate|2. I am doing and I do

Read the rules

Think

When think means «believe» or «have an opinion», we do not use the continuous:

1. I think Mary is Canadian, but I’m not sure. (not I’m thinking)

2. What do you think about my plan? (= What is your opinion?)

When think means «consider», the continuous is possible:

1. I‘m thinking about what happened. I often think about it.

2. Nicky is thinking of giving up her job. (= she is considering it)

Read the rules

He is selfish and He is being selfish

He‘s being = He’s behaving / He’s acting. Compare:

1. I can’t understand why he‘s being so selfish. He isn’t usually like that. (being selfish = behaving selfishly at the moment)

2. He never thinks about other people. He is very selfish. (not He is being) (= He is selfish generally, not only at the moment)

We use am/is/are being to say how somebody is behaving. It is not usually possible in other sentences:

1. It‘s hot today. (not It is being hot)

2. Sarah is very tired. (not is being tired)

Read the rules

See, hear, smell, taste

We normally use the present simple (not continuous) with these verbs:

1. Do you see that man over there? (not Are you seeing)

2. This room smells. Let’s open a window.

We often use can + see/hear/smell/taste:

I can hear a strange noise. Can you hear it?

Read the rules

Look, feel

You can use the present simple or continuous to say how somebody looks or feels now:

1. You look well today. or You‘re looking well today.

2. How do you feel now? or How are you feeling now?
but

3. I usually feel tired in the morning. (not I’m usually feeling)

Four sentences contain mistakes. Tick ☑ two sentences which are correct

NB:

Some state verbs may be used in the Сontinuous form if they have an «action» meaning and refer to an action in progress at a certain moment:

☑ Nicky is thinking of giving up her job.

Correct all these sentences. Pay attention to the use of Present Simple or the Present Continuous

Use the words to make sentences. (You should also study Lesson 3 before you do this exercise.)

Put the verb into the correct form: the Present Simple or Present Continuous

Complete the sentences using the most suitable form of be. Sometimes you must use the simple (am/is/are) and sometimes the continuous is more suitable (am/is/are being)

If you open the lesson plan you will be able to assign separate pages as homework or all the homework pages at once.