Nonprogressive Verbs: mental state

[ctivnan]

NONPROGRESSIVE VERBS


Some verbs are nonprogressive: they are not used in any of the progressive tenses. These verbs describe states (i.e., conditions that exist); they do not describe activities that are in progress.

e.g. Ali knows this grammar.
("Ali knows" describes a mental state that exist.)

e.g. Kim is reading about this grammar.
("Kim is reading" is an activity in progress. Progressive tenses can be used with the verb read , but not with the verb know . )

COMMON NONPROGRESSIVE VERBS

Mental State
- know
- realize
- understand
- recognize
- believe
- feel
- suppose
- think (=believe)
- imagine
- doubt
- remember
- forget
- want
- need
- prefer
- mean

Source: Azar, B. 1989. Understanding and Using English Grammar 2nd ed.
Compare:

a) I remember the password.
b) I am remembering the password.

In letter A, you are talking about your natural ability to remember.
- you can now enter the site.

In letter B, you cannot use "remember" in a progressive form, instead, we say:

I'm trying/doing my best to remember my password.- retrieving the password is still in progress.

For more info, go to Nonprogressive Verbs: emotional state (http://english-coffee.com/showthread.php?p=19791#post19791)

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[skykeeper]

thanks for sharing this information