do, have and special verbs in the Present Progressive
How to use do, have and special verbs in the Present Progressive
There are verbs which are normally not used in the Present Progressive, like:
be, believe, belong, hate, hear, like, love, mean, prefer, remain, realize, see, seem, smell, think, understand, want, wish
We sometimes use these words in the following situations in the Present Progressive:
- He's seeing his father tomorrow. (fixed date)
- The group is seeing the sights of Paris. (see in connection with tourists)
- They are having a great time in Kapstadt. (have as an activity verb)
- What's the matter with you? What are you thinking? (to be worried about sth.)
- He is being friendly. (at the moment)
If you are not sure with these verbs, use a good dictionary.
1. do as a main verb
Pronouns | Affirmative sentences | Negative sentences | Questions |
---|---|---|---|
I | I am doing an exercise. | I am not doing an exercise. | Am I doing an exercise? |
you | You are doing an exercise. | You are not doing an exercise | Are you doing an exercise? |
he, she, it | He is doing an exercise. | He is not doing an exercise. | Is he doing an exercise? |
we, you, they | They are doing an exercise. | They are not doing an exercise. | Are they doing an exercise? |
2. have as a main verb
Pronouns | Affirmative sentences | Negative sentences | Questions |
---|---|---|---|
I | I am having a bath. | I am not having a bath. | Am I having a bath? |
you | You are having a bath. | You are not having a bath. | Are you having a bath? |
he, she, it | He is having a bath. | He is not having a bath. | Is he having a bath? |
we, you, they | They are having a bath. | They are not having a bath. | Are they having a bath? |
We often use the short/contracted forms with these verbs.