Nonprogressive Verbs

Although these verbs are happening at the present, in this very moment, they use simple present tense.  These verbs talk about or describe mental states, emotional states, possession, sense perceptions, or other existing states.

Verbs that change meaning according to tense:

I think you are nice. (Opinion)

I am thinking about that problem. (Action – considering)

She feels sick. (Health)

She is feeling the cat’s fur. (Action – touching)

I have a new car. (Possession)

Expressions with the progressive tense.

I am having a good time.  I am having lunch. (Eating)  I am having a baby.  I am having trouble with this.  I am having a party.

You look beautiful. She looks cold. (Perception)

I am looking for my keys. I am looking out the window. (Action)

This soup tastes wonderful. (Perception)

The cook is tasting the soup.  The chef is tasting the dish. (Action)

You appear to be ill. You look like you’re ill. (Perception)

He is appearing on stage in Vegas. (Action)

This soup smells great! (Perception)

Look at John.  He is smelling the roses. (Action)

He weighs too much. (State – condition)

He is weighing the vegetables. (Action)

I see the car. (Perception)

I am seeing a doctor. (Consulting/visiting) I am seeing Bob. (Dating)

He is a nice person.  (State – condition)

He is being nice. (Action = behaving; a temporary characteristic)

He is being foolish, nice, kind, lazy, careful, patient, silly, rude, polite, and impolite. (Some of the most common – expressions)

Nonprogressive Verbs or Nonaction Verbs

Exercise