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Castro · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 57 Location: still Russia

I�ve got a question about English Grammar.

There are some verbs that we do not normally use with continuous tenses. We usually use the following verbs with simple tenses only (not continuous tenses?!?): hate, like, love, need, prefer, want, wish etc� Here are some examples: I want a coffee / not I am wanting a coffee; I don't believe you are right / not I am not believing you are right; I don't hear anything / not I am not hearing anything [http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-m_vmwct_1.htm]

But what about Larry King English (he is quite educated)? What about lyrics, movies, TV and even the press? Is it real English? Are there any rules for it? There are some examples:

- I can't believe what I�m hearing.
- I've been hearing some good things about you.
- Well, I'm hearing a lot about Russ McCallum.
- I'm hearing voices.
- Was your wife hearing voices before she had her tumor?
- Is that what I'm hearing from you, Lou ?

amandajoy99 · Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 63 Location: Brazil

the reason we don't usually use those verbs in the continuous tense has to do with the meaning of the verbs and the meaning of the continuous tense, and it's not a diehard rule.
normally we use the continuous tense to refer to an action that is happening right now: compare I am wearing black (today) to I wear black (always, or every tuesday, or to weddings).
generally speaking, stative verbs like be, know, understand refer to things that are true all the time. state of being, not an action. usually, if you know something, you always know it, you don't just know it today. it's not like putting on a black dress and then taking it off at the end of the day. if I know the answer, then I know it, all the time. If I like the Velvet Underground, then I like them always, not just today.
However, there certainly can be cases when one of these verbs is in fact happening RIGHT NOW instead of being a general truth. for example:
He is being rude (right now, not always).
I'm really enjoying this cake (because I am eating it right now - I don't want to refer to the general that I enjoy cake)
HEAR is not a verb I would normally include on that list anyway, because it's pretty easy to hear something at one moment and not the next, as shown in your examples.
Well, hope that helps.

Castro · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 57 Location: still Russia

Thanks,

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 2:45 pm Post subject:

You can also refer to my answer in the Newbie forum.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

That's why the McDonald's current slogan has me bewildered:
"I'm lovin' it!"

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

My students have brought this up. McDonalds has alot to answer for.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

very true, but i do admit i am partial to the odd Big Mac. However Big Kings are better.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

yeah. a far superior burger.

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:44 am Post subject: Off-topic warning!

WARNING! We're wandering off-topic here! This thread is supposed to be discussing a point of English grammar, not the merits of Big Kings or Big Macs! Exclamation

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

sorry, my fault I will not mention burgers again. I am hungry though

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Do you think that the guy who came up with the slogan 'Im lovin' it' was a native speaker and how much was he paid for it?

Chris_Crossley

Spinoza · Joined: 17 Oct 2004 Posts: 194 Location: Saudi Arabia