Some verbs are not normally used in progressive (continuous) forms. Some have both progressive and non-progressive forms with different meanings.
This grammar exercise tests your understanding of common progressive and non-progressive verbs.
1I ............... fine today.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
For health at the moment, both "feel" and "am feeling" are natural.
2I ............... you shouldn't do this.
Wrong!
Use "feel" when it means have an opinion.
3What ............... about my hairstyle?
Wrong!
Use "do you think" to ask for someone's opinion.
4I ............... your dad tomorrow; we arranged it yesterday.
Wrong!
Use "am seeing" for a personal future arrangement.
5The fish ............... awful.
Wrong!
Use "smells" when a sense verb describes a quality.
6I ............... this song.
Wrong!
Use "like" because it normally describes a state, not an action in progress.
7I rang her up because I ............... to talk.
Wrong!
Use "wanted" because want is normally non-progressive in this meaning.
8I ............... what you mean.
Wrong!
Use "see" when it means understand.
9The stew ............... wonderful.
Wrong!
Use "tastes" when a sense verb describes a quality.
10If I ............... the answer, I will tell you.
Wrong!
Use "know" because it describes a state, not an action in progress.
11He ............... 85 kg.
Wrong!
Use "weighs" to state someone's weight as a fact.
12............... in God?
Wrong!
Use "Do you believe" because believe is normally non-progressive in this meaning.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- I feel / am feeling fine today.
- I feel you shouldn’t do this.
- What do you think about my hairstyle?
- I am seeing your dad tomorrow; we arranged it yesterday.
- The fish smells awful.
- I like this song.
- I rang her up because I wanted to talk.
- I see what you mean.
- The stew tastes wonderful.
- If I know the answer, I will tell you.
- He weighs 85 kg.
- Do you believe in God?
