It is extremely important to understand that NOT all English verbs are the same. English verbs are divided into three groups: Normal Verbs, Non-Continuous Verbs, and Mixed Verbs.
Group I - Normal Verbs
Most verbs are "Normal Verbs." These verbs are usually physical actions which you can see somebody doing. These verbs can be used in all tenses.Normal Verbs
to run, to walk, to eat, to fly, to go, to say, to touch, etc.Examples:
- I eat dinner every day.
- I am eating dinner now.
Group II - Non-Continuous Verbs
The second group, called "Non-Continuous Verbs," is smaller. These verbs are usually things you cannot see somebody doing. These verbs are rarely used in continuous tenses. They include:Abstract Verbs
to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to owe, to exist...Possession Verbs
to possess, to own, to belong...Emotion Verbs
to like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind...Examples:
- He is needing help now. Not Correct
- He needs help now. Correct
- He is wanting a drink now. Not Correct
- He wants a drink now. Correct
Group III - Mixed Verbs
The third group, called "Mixed Verbs," is the smallest group. These verbs have more than one meaning. In a way, each meaning is a unique verb. Some meanings behave like "Non-Continuous Verbs," while other meanings behave like "Normal Verbs."Mixed Verbs
to appear, to feel, to have, to hear, to look, to see, to weigh...List of Mixed Verbs with Examples and Definitions:
to appear:- Donna appears
confused. Non-Continuous Verb
Donna seems confused. - My
favorite singer is appearing at the jazz club tonight. Normal
Verb
My favorite singer is giving a performance at the jazz club tonight.
- I have
a dollar now. Non-Continuous Verb
I possess a dollar. - I am
having fun now. Normal Verb
I am experiencing fun now.
- She hears
the music. Non-Continuous Verb
She hears the music with her ears. - She is
hearing voices. Normal Verb
She hears something others cannot hear. She is hearing voices in her mind.
- Nancy looks tired. Non-Continuous Verb
She seems tired. - Farah is
looking at the pictures. Normal Verb
She is looking with her eyes.
- John misses
Sally. Non-Continuous Verb
He is sad because she is not there. - Debbie is
missing her favorite TV program. Normal Verb
She is not there to see her favorite program.
- I see
her. Non-Continuous Verb
I see her with my eyes. - I am
seeing the doctor. Normal Verb
I am visiting or consulting with a doctor. (Also used with dentist and lawyer.) - I am
seeing her. Normal Verb
I am having a relationship with her. - He is
seeing ghosts at night. Normal Verb
He sees something others cannot see. For example ghosts, aura, a vision of the future, etc.
- The
coffee smells good. Non-Continuous Verb
The coffee has a good smell. - I am
smelling the flowers. Normal Verb
I am sniffing the flowers to see what their smell is like.
- The
coffee tastes good. Non-Continuous Verb
The coffee has a good taste. - I am
tasting the cake. Normal Verb
I am trying the cake to see what it tastes like.
- He thinks
the test is easy. Non-Continuous Verb
He considers the test to be easy. - She is
thinking about the question. Normal Verb
She is pondering the question, going over it in her mind.
- The table
weighs a lot. Non-Continuous Verb
The table is heavy. - She is
weighing herself. Normal Verb
She is determining her weight.
Some Verbs Can Be Especially Confusing:
to be:- Joe is
American. Non-Continuous Verb
Joe is an American citizen. - Joe is
being very American. Normal Verb
Joe is behaving like a stereotypical American. - Joe is
being very rude. Normal Verb
Joe is behaving very rudely. Usually he is not rude. - Joe is
being very formal. Normal Verb
Joe is behaving very formally. Usually he is not formal.
to feel:
- The
massage feels great. Non-Continuous Verb
The massage has a pleasing feeling. - I don't
feel well today. Sometimes used as Non-Continuous Verb
I am a little sick.
I am not feeling well today. Sometimes used as Normal Verb
I am a little sick.
