Most verbs in English can be used in both the present simple and the present continuous tense. For example, take the verb 'come':I come from England. (= I am English. Present simple because it is a permanent condition)
I am coming from England. (= I'm on my way now. Present continuous because it is happening now, it is a temporary condition.
Notice that the verb 'come' has different meanings in each situation.
So far, so good. However, there are a number of verbs in English - called state verbs - which cannot usually be used in the present continuous. Here are some of them:
like, dislike, love, hate, prefer, mean, want, depend (on), consist (of), belong (to), know, realise, recognise, remember, weigh, seem, contain, cost, matter, deserve
As you can see, there are some important verbs here.
Some examples:
I like tigers (NOT I am liking tigers)
I prefer tea to coffee.
What do you mean?
The event depends on the weather.
You will recognise her immediately.
I owe you a beer.
That jacket costs Euro 50.
How much do you weigh?
It doesn't matter.
In addition, there are many verbs which can be used as both state and active verbs:
The soup smells good. (= state verb)
That soup in the fridge is off - it has been smelling bad for two days. (=active verb)
Can you see the difference? In the first example it is the state of the soup at one time that is being referred to. In the second example, it is not a state but a process over a longer period of time.
Can you see the difference in these sentences between the state and the active verb?
I think I will take a holiday.
I am thinking of taking a holiday.
Can you hold the line?
I have been holding the line for ten minutes!
Everyone applies for jobs online nowadays.
I am applying for a new job at the moment.
For more on state verbs, see http://www.eclecticenglish.com/grammar/PresentContinuous1H.html
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