IPT Upper-Intermediate



Stative verbs [i.e., those which can’t be used in continuous tenses]

( Verbs of the senses: see*, hear*, smell, taste

Keep in mind that see and hear have more than one meaning, as in

I’m seeing Maria (= I’m going out with Maria), or

I’ve been hearing good things about the new boss (= I’ve come to know good things about him)

and that they can be used in continuous tenses in these other senses.

( Verbs of emotion: love, like, hate

Native speakers often use these verbs in continuous tenses, but according to the grammar of the English language, this is not possible. DON’T use them in that way in formal texts (such as professional e-mails or tests).

( Verbs of possession: have*, own

Have cannot be used in the continuous tenses when it means to possess something, but for some of its other senses it is possible to use it that way.

You CAN use have in continuous tenses when it means:

 

• to experience something

I was having a good time but then my parents arrived home.

I was having difficulty in staying awake.

He's been having car accidents since he first got his licence.

 

• to organize or hold an event

The neighbours are having a party.

 

• to eat, drink or smoke something

They’re having lunch.

She’s been having one cigarette after the other since she heard the news.

 

• to perform a particular action [have + a noun]

I was having a swim in the sea when the lifeguards shouted “shark!”.

I’ve been having cold showers since the beginning of summer.

• to entertain somebody in your home

We’re having some friends to dinner tonight.

• cause something to be done for you by somebody else [have something done]

I’m having my hair cut this weekend.

I’ve been having my car repaired since last Friday.

( Verbs of mental processes: want, need, understand, remember

Pay attention to these verbs because we have a tendency to use them in continuous expressions in Portuguese.

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