No biblican sense... however you inspired me for a second beatitude (see "Jokes")
More seriously: Here is a short list of the verbs that can't be used in a continuous tense.
1. Auxiliaries: To be (except in the passive ex. the rule is being explained)
To have( except when it expresses an activity like "to have breakfast
lunch etc", "to have a shower/a bath"ETC...
ex.I was having a shower when he came back.
Can/ May/Must/ Shall/ Will/ Should/Would
2.Verbs of perception: to see (except when it means to meet: ex.I am seeing you at 10
to hear
To smell, to taste, to notice
to feel (except when the duration is limited ex. I am not feeling
well at the moment)
3. Verbs of opinion: to agree, to disagree, to believe,to consider
4. "Brain verbs" (the action depends on the brains!): to forget, to remember, to know,
to understand, to imagine, to think when it means "my opinion is ..."
5. Verbs expressing emotions or feelings:to like, to dislike, to love, to hate, to want,
to wish, to desire, to need, to prefer, to refuse
6.Verbs expressing possessions: to have got (British English!),to own, to possess
7. To consist, to contain, to involve, to represent
THIS LIST IS NOT COMPREHENSIVE BUT I HOPE IT IS COMPREHENSIBLE...
Mind you, there are other exceptions and as there is nothing like "L'académie française", as soon as a lot of people say something, it is considered as correct.Comforting, isn't it? You will soon hear: I am wishing you a merry Christmas...
Thank you, Silky, for such a comprehensive, comprehensible and - I think - understood grammar digest.
As you are so competent, proficient, open-minded and generous, I'll come back soon with another question.
Posts: 113
2 Nov. 2006