Common mistake Progressive forms of non-progressive verbs (doubt, believe, understand)
When it comes to using progressive (or continuous) forms in English, there are some verbs that typically do not take these forms. These are referred to as non-progressive verbs, and they include verbs like "doubt," "believe," and "understand."
The Stative Nature of Non-Progressive Verbs
Non-progressive verbs are often considered to be stative in nature. This means that they typically describe a state or a mental process rather than an action that is currently in progress.
Examples:
- "I doubt his sincerity." (NOT: "I am doubting his sincerity.")
- "She believes in ghosts." (NOT: "She is believing in ghosts.")
- "I understand the concept." (NOT: "I am understanding the concept.")
In these examples, the verbs "doubt," "believe," and "understand" are used in their base form (simple present) instead of the progressive form.
Changing Sentence Structure
If you want to express a temporary action or a situation that is currently in progress with these verbs, you can change the sentence structure to accommodate the progressive form.
Examples:
- "I am having doubts about his sincerity." (temporary action)
- "She is currently experiencing a belief in ghosts." (temporary situation)
- "I am currently understanding the concept." (temporary mental process)
In these examples, the sentence structure has been altered to allow for the use of the progressive form. This is a way to express a temporary or ongoing action or situation with non-progressive verbs.
About Linguix Grammar Checker
For those who want to ensure their writing is free from mistakes like using progressive forms with non-progressive verbs, a tool like Linguix Grammar Checker can be incredibly useful. It can help you identify and correct grammar errors, enhancing the clarity and professionalism of your writing.
Progressive forms of non-progressive verbs (doubt, believe, understand) mistake examples
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Correct:I doubt these results.
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Correct:Bring me another whisky, if you are pleasing.
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Correct:These eggs are smelling bad.
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Correct:He has been wanting very much to meet you.
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Correct:You are not listening. I have been agreeing with you for the past 10 minutes.
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Correct:I had been depending on having the test results by 17:00 today.
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Correct:The Tigers have been deserving winners of the title.
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Correct:Tom was really deserving.
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Correct:I have been hearing good things about you.
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Correct:This is promising!
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Correct:It is especially concerning that nobody cares.
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Correct:That's concerning, to be honest.
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Correct:You must be hearing things again. There's nobody in the other room.
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Correct:You are always doubting my word.
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Correct:How long have you been hearing voices?
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Correct:I was hearing voices and someone came in and tried to kill me.
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Correct:This could be why I'm not hearing voices any more.
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Correct:She was always hearing things.
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Correct:John was always hearing things and so I ignored him when he told me about the voices in the kitchen.
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Correct:Although my cat is very loving, she sometimes scratches me.
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Correct:He is very loving.
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Correct:LanguageTool is pleasing to use.
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Correct:This analysis is most pleasing.
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Correct:Books are pleasing to read.
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Correct:This is incredibly satisfying.
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Correct:They are very doubting people.
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Correct:These are hearing aids.
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Correct:She gave me a knowing smile.
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Correct:She gave Gabriel a meaning look.
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Correct:These seeming contradictions will be resolved.
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Correct:These are smelling salts, don't you know?
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Correct:Mandibles are wanting in many of these insects.
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Correct:His playing, aside from its intellectual element, satisfied me less, being wanting in clarity and precision.
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Correct:The text is wanting in clarity.
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Correct:He is wanting in courage.
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Correct:It is justice, not charity, that is wanting in the world.
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Correct:Their aesthetics are not to everyone’s liking.
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Correct:You'll be hearing from us soon.
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Correct:You will not be hearing from them for a long time.
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Correct:We will be needing that number also.
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Correct:Looks like we'll be needing dinner and sleeping bags, along with breakfast and lunch.
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Correct:She could hear him start to stir, and knew that he would be wanting some action.
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Correct:That should be pleasing to anyone.
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Correct:They won't be needing the ROA to the pipeline.
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Correct:They won't be needing that.
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Correct:The U.S. Supreme Court won't be hearing cases in its historic chambers.
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Correct:I have a feeling I won't be hearing from him.
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Correct:Tell Tom I won't be needing his help.
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Correct:Tom's been meaning to clean out his badly cluttered garage for years.
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Correct:Tom now has enough money to buy the guitar he's been wanting to buy.
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Correct:The Fields of Punishment were for people that had sinned often, but not so much as to be deserving of Tartarus.
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Correct:More of them should be needing what has been developed at Enron.
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Correct:I am unfortunately lacking the courage to act.
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Correct:I have all the REST wrapper stuff done in c# but am lacking the all important group information.
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Correct:I am lacking all three right now so it was a disastrous choice to pick that style.
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Correct:The only data point I am lacking at this point relates to our East Power slide.
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Correct:I was able to secure a Duns# and Fed Tax ID, however, I am lacking Fax and bank account numbers.
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Correct:The only thing that I am lacking is being able to control the Keypads.
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Correct:I think that I am not fitting for this work.
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Correct:I unfortunately lack the courage to act.
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Correct:I think that I am not fit for this work.
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Correct:Don't you think I am astonishing?
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Correct:I think I am rather astonishing, even if you don't think I am.
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Correct:As I speak, I am astonishing the crowds with my daring trapeze act.
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Correct:Yes, I am surprising.
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Correct:I am surprising.
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Correct:I am often surprising, aren't 1? But, that's why you love me.
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Correct:I am not surprising; I am just an old bore.
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Correct:In this video, you can see that at the same time that I am fitting the cover to the unit, I am pushing the backplate towards...
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Correct:Next week, I am fitting sensors in the rear rooms of the house and in the hallway.
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Correct:I am also fitting AGA to an ARIMAX model.
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Correct:I am lacking in confidence.
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Correct:This is one genre I am sorely lacking in exposure to.
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Correct:I am equally lacking in skill in that arena.
